Youth Aquatic Programs

PRESCHOOL CLASSES (Ages 3-5)

Pike/Eel: This level helps children learn water adjustment, develop safe pool behavior and strive towards developing independent movement in the water. Designed for new swimmers, teaching basic strokes, kicking skills, face in water comfort, safety, fun and values.

Ray/Starfish: Swimmers will be encouraged to swim without floatation devices. Skills focused on include front crawl, back float, endurance, safety skills, rescue skills, fun and values. Deeper water will be introduced along with kneel dives and rescues. Preparing for school age swimming lessons.

Who: Children 3 - 5 years old
When: Mondays & Thursdays Sept. 5-28  (except week of Sept. 5 that will be on T/TH)
Deadline is Sept. 3rd for sign up
Time: 5:15-5:45pm
Fee: $40 Members $60 Non-Members
Class size is limited to 10

(Pike/Eel and Ray/Starfish class times are shared.)

 SCHOOL AGE CLASSES (Age 6 and up)

Polliwog: Beginning level for school age children. This gets children acquainted with the pool, use of floating and floatation devices. Students will learn rhythmic breathing, flutter kick, front and back float/glide and jumping in both the shallow and the deep end. Basic water safety is covered. Children will swim several lengths of pool when completed. (Floatation devices can be used but students are encouraged towards water independence. Comparable to Red Cross Level 2)

Guppy: Children will review and practice upon polliwog skills and must have graduated from using floatation devices. Study and practices of rotary breathing, crawl stroke, and back crawl. They will also learn survival floating, underwater swimming, turning over and changing directions as well as rescue assists. (Comparable to Red Cross Level 3)

Minnow: This is designed for the intermediate swimmer. Must have passed Guppy skills before enrolling. Guppy skills are reviewed and breast stroke, sidestroke, and elementary backstroke are introduced. (Comparable to Red Cross Level 4)

Fish: Can swim one pool length continuously of proper front and back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and elementary backstroke. Will work on building endurance and perfecting the breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke. (Comparable to Red Cross Level 5)

Who: Children 5 years old and older
When: Mondays & Thursdays Sept. 5-28 (except week of Sept. 5 T/TH)
Deadline is Sept. 3rd for sign up
Time: 6:00-6:30pm
Fee: $40 Members $60 Non-Members
Class size limited to 15 

YMCA Intro to Swimming

Our caring and knowledgeable instructors will work on familiarizing your children over the age of 3 years on how to be comfortable around and in the water. They will provide safety information for parents to help teach techniques that they can use to orient their children to the water. Intro to Swimming works on increasing comfort level in the water through songs and games. It will also provide beginning swimming skills such as comfort on front and back and blowing bubbles. 

Water Toddler Aqua Class

Experience a water class designed for children age 18 months—3 years old (non-preschool age). The objective of this class is to begin making your child comfortable in the water and prepare them for preschool swimming lessons. Certified and experienced swim instructor  Chelsie Rush will incorporate games, songs, and toys to encourage basic movements in the water such as kicking, arm strokes, blowing bubbles, and breath control.

• Maximum of 10 children (Parent must accompany the child)
• Child gains familiarity with water
• Fun and engaging environment
• Children must wear a swim diaper (Unless potty-trained)
  (Available at the front desk for $1
  
  

When: October 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th
Time: 5:15 PM—5:45 PM  Tuesday’s & Thursday’s
Fee: $20 for members / $30 for non-members
Must have 3 particpants to hold class

Private Swimming Lessons

Are always available are for people of any age. You will get one on one instruction. Private lessons allow the instructor to give their student 100% of her or his attention. Our instructors will evaluate each swimmer and plan lessons according to the participants particular strengths and weaknesses. With private lessons, you can pick a time that works in your schedule. Please be aware, if a participant fails to come at a scheduled time without advance notice, the session is still counted.

Lifeguard Training
Americian Red Cross Lifeguard Class

When: Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1
This course will have an online portion that will need to be completed by September 28th. Also a prequiset swim test will be completed on Sept. 25th
Who: Anyone that will be 15 by Oct. 1
Time: Friday 5-9pm; Saturday 8am-6pm; Sunday 1-6pm
          Registration deadline is Sept. 24th
Instructor: Chelsie Rush
Fee: $130 Members  $150 Non-Members (Books Included)
Any questions contact Chelsie Huddleson at 712-243-3934 or email at chuddleson@nishnavalleyymca.com