Preschool

The YMCA Aquatic Staff asks that swimmers 3 years and older, who have had lessons elsewhere or are new to our program, be tested to determine their level. Testing is done on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., except holidays or interim weekends. Children under 3 and registered for a parent/child are not required to be tested.

The Parent/Child and Preschool Programs:
The National YMCA Preschool Aquatic Program is for children 5 and under. The aquatic program uses the safest and latest methods of aquatic instruction and water safety for the young children and their parents. Our program follows the YMCA Infant Water Enrichment guidelines. Developers of this program included YMCA aquatic instructors, pediatricians and child development specialists. There are two sections, Parent/Child (children under 3 years with their parents in the water) and Preschool (children 3-5 years without their parent in the water).

Perch
(2-3 years old with parent participation in water):
This is a transitional class between our Parent & Child and Pike classes where parents are allowed into the water with their child during instruction. Children will learn to allow another adult to hold them in the water, enter and exit the pool without help, relax in both the front and back positions, move through water a short distance without help, move body parts on request, including kicking and arm motions, control body position while putting face in the water.

Pike I
(3 year old only; 1 big and 1 small float):
Getting in and out of the water, kicking 15 yards, paddle stroke 15 yards, front/back float, blow bubbles with full face, front/back flutter kick, comfortable in deep water.

Pike II
(4-5 year old only; 1 big and 1 small float):
Getting in and out of the water, kicking 15 yards, paddle stroke 15 yards, front/back float, blow bubbles with full face, front/back flutter kick, comfortable in deep water.

Eel I
(Intermediate Beginner; 2 small floats):
Personal Floatation Devices (PFD), bobs, jumping into deep water, front/back glides, paddle stroke 25 yards, rhythmic breathing, sit dives.

Eel II
(Instructor Recommendation):
Rhythmic breathing, intro to rotary breathing, throwing assits, PFD's, finning, surface dives, kneeling dives, retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool.

Ray
(Instructor Recommendation):
Review of Eel II skills and rotary breathing, front crawl with rotary breathing, treading water, survival float, standing dives.

Starfish
(Instructor Recommendation):
Review of Ray skills, swimming underwater, front/back somersaults, elementary backstroke arms with flutter kick, front crawl, intro to back crawl, standing dives.