At the Y, we believe everyone should learn to swim

Our goal is to teach youth, teens, and adults to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy. Swim lessons provide important life skills that could save a life and will benefit students for a lifetime.

Woman in a pool teaching kids sitting on the side of the pool

Nurturing skills & building confidence in the water

For more than 160 years, the YMCA has nurtured potential and united communities across America to create lasting, meaningful change. Everything the Y does is in service of building a better us. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to teach youth, teens, and adults to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy. Y swim instructors are nationally certified. Their training includes Basic Life Support (BLS), AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration. Swim lessons provide important life skills that could save a life and will benefit students for a lifetime.

Swimming skills are progressive, so it's important to pick the right level for you. Our YMCA-trained and certified instructors cover swimming skills, stroke technique and water safety in a friendly and encouraging environment. Learn more about our six (6) stage program.

SWIM LESSON LOCATIONS

To find information specifically about schedules, cost and registration, find your preferred location below.

YMCA of Sequim

610 N. 5th Ave.
Sequim, WA 98382
360-477-4381

Lesson Details

YMCA of Jefferson County

1919 Blaine Street
Port Townsend, WA 98382
360-385-5811

Lesson Details

Lessons, Skills and Stages

Learn more about how swim lessons are organized and how to determine where your student should start.

Lesson Selector

How to determine which stage your kid are in:

Lesson Selector

Skills Continua

  KEY:

Graphic image of three dots corresponding two three items in a key.

Each level teaches a different set of skills that builds upon the last.

Adults in the shallow pool with children learning acclimate to the watter

Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Graphic image of 3 dots that stand for Preschool, Students and Adults

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance

Adult woman in shallow pool with child floating on their back

Stage 2: Water Movement

Graphic image of 3 dots that stand for Preschool, Students and Adults

Students develop comfort and underwater exploration while learning to safely exit the pool. Students will focus on body position, control, directional change and forward movement in the water.
 

Woman in pool with a young girl teaching her to swim with her face in the water

Stage 3: Water Stamina

Graphic image of 2 dots that represent School and Adult

Students will learn how to swim to safety from longer distance. Rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action are introduced.

Man standing on the edge of the 4 feet end of pool with children sitting on the edge of pool

Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Graphic image of 2 dots that represent School and Adult

Students develop stroke technique in breaststroke and butterfly kick.
 

Two children in the deep end of a pool floating

Stage 5: Stroke Development

Graphic image of 2 dots that represent School and Adult

Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes.
 

Young lady lane swimming using breast stroke

Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics

Graphic image of 2 dots that represent School and Adult

Students refine all major competitive strokes and gain endurance

Other Classes

In addition to offering group swim lessons, we offer other types of swim lessons.

Contact the front desk at the location of your choice for more details:
    YMCA of Sequim, 360-477-4381
    YMCA of Jefferson County, 360-385-5811

Group of parents in shallow pool with instructor and infants

Swim Starters - Parent & Child

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision. Ages 6 months to 36 month.

Stage Descriptions:

Level A/B: Water Discovery/Water Exploration 
Focuses on exploring body positions, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

An adult swim instructor teaching a child wearing goggles to float on their back

Private Lessons

Private lessons are scheduled to accommodate student schedules and provide one-on-one teaching and feedback. Contact your desired branch to discuss options.

Instructor in the pool with children sitting on the side of the pool learning how to dive into pool

Safety Around Water

Teach your children water safety. Drowning can happen nearly anywhere with standing water. As a parent or caregiver, it is necessary to equip your children with the skills they need to be confident in and around water. With this confidence, they can develop self-esteem, discover new ways to stay healthy, and build lifelong relationships.

The YMCA's Safety Around Water program teaches essential water safety skills, which will open a world of possibilities for all kids.

READ MORE