Swim Lessons

Improving swimming skills to individual highest potential and increasing awareness of safety in all aspects.

Improving swimming skills to individual highest potential and increasing awareness of safety in all aspects.

At Sage YMCA, we use the YMCA Swim Lessons Program. The Program has two main components: Parent/Child and Preschool Aquatic Program and Youth and Adult Aquatic Program. The first is for children under the age of five and their parents; the second is for children ages 6 and up, as well as adults and people with disabilities.

The Parent Child/Preschool Program has 8 levels: the first four levels are for children under three and their parents, and within these levels, they learn water orientation and adjustment skills; the second four levels are for children ages 3 through 5, and within those levels, they learn beginning swimming skills. The Youth/Adult Program has 7 levels, each one building on the one before it.

There are five components to the YMCA Swim Lesson Program:

• Personal Safety, includes rules and safety tips, floating, treading, use of personal floatation devices (PFDs), boating safety, and health and safety.
• Personal Growth, includes character development and personal growth opportunities.
• Stroke Development, includes water orientation and adjustment skills (Parent/Child) and major swimming strokes.
• Water Sports and Games, includes synchronized swimming, water polo/wetball and competitive swimming.
• Rescue, includes recognizing emergencies and getting help, non-swimming rescues, and first aid.

What makes our programs different? The goal of the YMCA swim lesson program is to develop the whole person — spiritually, mentally and physically. Our teaching methods focus primarily on student-centered learning, increasing awareness of safety in all aspects, and assisting participants in perfecting skills to the best of their ability. The goal is to create a life-long interest in aquatic activities and promote a healthy lifestyle. All instructors are certified.

The YMCA swim lesson program uses age and ability appropriate ratios. However, if you are looking for more one-on-one attention, private and semi-private lessons are also available. Private lessons are sold as a package: Five 30-minute lessons. Please see the Sage Y Member Service Desk to complete a Private Lesson Request Form.

Sage YMCA is also proud to offer teen and adult classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Please call 815.459.4455 for more information.

Be sure to view the online program guide for more information on classes, times, and prices.