More people learn to swim at the YMCA than anywhere else.
Over decades of hard work, the Y has taught millions of children and adults how to swim; we ARE America's swim instructors.
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among kids aged 1-4, and 88% of children who drown are under some form of supervision. That's why we feel it is so important for both children and adults to learn water safety.
Our Y swim instructors are nationally certified and their training includes CPR, AED, first aid and oxygen administration. Swimming is great fun, a confidence builder, and has benefits to last a lifetime.
As a member of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, parent-child swim lessons are included with your family membership. You also receive priority registration and lower member swim lesson pricing.
Documents to help with choosing the right swim level:
Swim Lessons by LOCATION
Swim Lessons by class type
Parent-Child Swim Lessons (ages 6 months-3 years)
(Included with Family Plus Membership)
Children enjoy the many water-readiness activities provided by our YMCA aquatics instructors. This is one of the most important skills every child should master - feeling safe in the water. Children progress from water adjustment to basic skills while working with parents. One adult must be in the water with their child at all times.
This class, designed for children ages 2 to 3, adapts basic swimming skills to your child's developmental level including: body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatics skills. One adult must be in the water with their child for a portion of the class.
Preschool Swim Lessons (ages 3-5)
This class is a transition class to help preschool children get comfortable in group lessons without a parent. Parents begin class in the water and throughout the session transition to children swimming with the instructor. Classes run as needed. Contact your local branch for more information.
Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications- None
Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications- None
In this class, children are taught skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to safely exit in the event of fall into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles, (2) able to float on front and back with minimal assistance, (3) able to jump in the pool, submerge and return to the wall with assistance.
In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim to safety.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to float on front and back unassisted, (2) able to push off wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet unassisted, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 feet unassisted, (4) able to jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to submerge and retrieve an object in chest deep water, (2) able to swim front crawl 15 yards while taking a breath, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 yards, (4) able to jump in and tread water for 30 seconds, (5) able to swim to wall and exit.
Youth Swim Lessons (ages 6-12 years)
Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications - None
In this class, children are taught skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to safely exit in the event of fall into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles, (2) able to float on front and back with minimal assistance, (3) able to jump in the pool, submerge and return to the wall with assistance.
In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim to safety.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to float on front and back unassisted, (2) able to push off wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet unassisted, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 feet unassisted, (4) able to jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to submerge and retrieve an object in chest deep water, (2) able to swim front crawl 15 yards while taking a breath, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 yards, (4) able to jump in and tread water for 30 seconds, (5) able to swim to wall and exit.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major swim strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to front crawl and back crawl 25 yards, (2) able to swim breaststroke kick and dolphin kick 15 yards, (3) able to tread water using multiple kicks for 1 minute.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to swim front crawl with bent arm recovery and rotary breathing for 25 yards, (2) able to swim back crawl with stroke rotation for 25 yards, (3) able to swim butterfly with overarm recovery, (4) able to swim breaststroke for 25 yards achieving stroke rhythm, (5) able to dive from a kneeling position.
Teen & Adult Swim Lessons (ages 13+)
Students will develop comfort in the water. They will learn how to swim-float-swim, front glides, back floats, and exits. Students will also work on jump, push, turn, grab.
Students will learn basic strokes including, front crawl and backstroke.
Private & Semi-Private Swim Lessons
Private and semi-private swim lessons are designed for participants ages 3 through adult who want to have a more personal learning experience.
YMCA of Greater Hartford Swim Lessons
We are dedicated to teaching high quality and engaging swimming skills that will last a lifetime. Through time-tested curriculum and mission-driven instruction, students will gain confidence and unlock their potential, all while focusing on fun and safety. Lifelong success for the leaders of tomorrow.
Swim Lesson FAQs
We are committed to maintaining the high-quality program you’ve come to expect. Safety, quality, and fun will always be our top priorities. Moving forward, our program will follow the YMCA Swim lesson curriculum over a 7–8-week period. This additional time will allow our program staff to work more closely with participants, fostering trust and ensuring consistency in instruction.
No, you are not required to have an active membership to participate in this program. There is different pricing for members and program participants. We do encourage participants to have a full facility membership as there are so many great benefits when you become a member. A full facility membership will also allow participants to come and practice what they learned in their lesson during their free time.
To ensure a consistent and structured learning experience, we do not allow participants to switch programs mid-session. All participants are expected to complete the program they initially enrolled in. If you are considering a change for future sessions, we encourage you to contact us in advance, and we'll be happy to assist you in planning your transition for the next session.
A make-up class is offered once per month. Please contact your Aquatics Director to learn about available make-up dates and times. Note that make-up lessons are not intended to replace regularly scheduled swim lessons.
Keep in mind that we plan and staff for your or your child’s attendance, regardless of whether or not you are able to make it to class. A full refund will only be issued for withdrawals received in writing before the 1st class. A 50% refund will be issued for withdrawals after the 1st class. Refunds or partial credits after the 2nd class are provided only with a doctor’s note for the unused portion. Deposits to secure a spot in a program or for a facility rental are always non-refundable.
If a class is cancelled multiple times due to inclement weather or instructor illness, branches will make every effort to offer a makeup lesson. If a makeup lesson is not an option, branches will provide a partial credit voucher to use toward a future program.
When enrolling your child for a class, please understand that you are making a commitment to having your child attend the class for the full session. If your child is unable to attend their lesson, please call your YMCA or email the program director to let them know. If your child misses two consecutive lessons, or three lessons within the session without communication, your child will be automatically unenrolled from the class. Additionally, your child will not be allowed to enroll for the next session of the same type of class. Many of our classes have wait lists and this policy will allow another member of our community to fill the spot and participate going forward.
Each lesson builds on the skills learned in prior sessions. Instructors will focus on refining these skills while introducing new challenges based on your child’s individual progress. Throughout the session, your child will be both challenged and supported as they continue to practice and master the skills they need to succeed.
At mid-session, you will receive a report outlining your swimmer’s progress, along with recommendations for the next session. For additional practice, feel free to contact your branch’s Aquatics Director for a list of skills you can work on with your child during open family swim.
We are happy to assist in the placement, of all participants, to ensure a positive experience in our swim school.
Please click here for the “Swim Lessons Class Selector”. This guideline will assist you in registering your participant in the correct stage. Still unsure and would like guidance?
Please contact your branch Aquatics Coordinator to set up an assessment.
All payments are due at registration.
No problem, we would be happy to do so! You can edit your payment details any time by updating your payment details in your account online. You can also stop by the Welcome Center or call your local Branch.
We will make every effort to place participants in a class, we do pride ourselves on safety and therefore simply adding another participant to a scheduled lesson may not be within our instructor to participant ratio. We ask that families be patient as the Aquatics Coordinators will contact you as soon as a spot becomes available.
Please contact your local Branch Aquatics Director.
Downtown YMCA, Kyle Jones
Farmington Valley YMCA, Stephanie Shibley
Hale YMCA, Tarin McKinnon
Indian Valley Family YMCA, Anneliese Curtiss
Wheeler Regional Family YMCA, Bonnie Callaghan
