Kishwaukee Family YMCA

Youth Development Alerts Healthy Living Social Responsibiliy

Swim Lessons

We offer swim lessons for every age and stage. Y Swim Lesson curriculum is based on a continuum that focuses on a skill-based progression that builds confidence and supports swimming skills. There are three phases within the continuum, beginning with Swim Starters, then Swim Basics and Swim Strokes.  Each phase is broken into specific stages that are designed specifically for that age group on cognitive and social ability.

Program enhancements include ease at the time of registration, improved curriculum focusing on skills-based instruction with an emphasis on personal safety, tools and resources to support families at home.

Your swimmers are in good hands.
Every Swim Lesson Instructor is YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor certified.

YSL certification includes training in class structure and organization, specific skills, teaching and class discipline techniques, YMCA mission and goals, and more. In addition, each instructor is trained in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Most of our swim instructors are also Red Cross certified lifeguards, and we ALWAYS have a lifeguard on duty during your child’s swim lesson!

How to Register:

  1. In-person by visiting the Kishwaukee Family YMCA.
  2. Via online registration. Click on the registration button below and choose your class.
  3. View our Class Schedule.

Need guidance on selecting a lesson. Please view our lesson selector below for assistance.

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REGISTRATION FOR Winter 1
Members: Opens Monday, Nov. 27
Non-Members: Monday, Dec. 11
->CLICK HERE TO REGISTER<-


Swim Lessons & Programs

Y Swim Lesson curriculum is based on a continuum that focuses on a skill-based progression that builds confidence and supports swimming skills. There are three phases within the continuum:


Children Age 6 months-3 years

Swim Starters

Close supervision is the best way to prevent drowning. Through this program, parents and caregivers will learn how to supervise children in the water, how to prevent accidents, and plan for emergencies. This program also promotes water enrichment and aquatic readiness for children six months to three years of age.

Stage A – Water Discovery:

Parents accompany children in this class which introduces babies and parents to the aquatic environment through exploration that encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.

Stage B – Water Exploration:

In this class, parents are guided to work with their child to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, fundamental safety, and aquatic skills.

Parent/Child  6 months-3 years: Stage A & B

REGISTRATION FOR Winter 1
Members: Opens Monday, Nov. 27
Non-Members: Monday, Dec. 11
->CLICK HERE TO REGISTER<-


Children Ages 3-5 & 6-12

Swim Basics (Stage 1-3)

Designed for preschool and elementary school children, a foundation of water safety and drowning prevention is made by teaching water adjustment and skill readiness for children from three to twelve years of age.

Swim Basics Stage 1 – Water Acclimation:

The water acclimation class introduces swimmers to the pool and helps them develop safe water habits in a fun and encouraging environment. In water, acclimation children develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage builds the foundation for the child’s future progress in swimming.

Swim Basics Stage 2 – Water Movement:

In this class, children are taught skills that focus on body position & control, forward movement, and directional change. The stage also reinforces how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

Swim Basics Stage 3 – Water Stamina:

In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances and are introduced to rotary breathing and integrated arm and leg action. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim, move to safety, and exit.

Swim Strokes Stage 4 – Stroke Introduction:

In this class, swimmers focus on developing basic swimming strokes and personal water safety. The goals of the program include:

  • To develop the front crawl and backcrawl strokes
  • To introduce components of the breaststroke and butterfly strokes
  • To practice safety techniques in deep water

REGISTRATION FOR Winter 1
Members: Opens Monday, Nov. 27
Non-Members: Monday, Dec. 11
->CLICK HERE TO REGISTER<-


School-Aged Children 6-12 years.

Swim Strokes

After fundamentals are mastered, Children between the ages of 6 and 12 begin to learn personal water safety, character development, and build stroke technique in competitive strokes.

Swim Strokes Stage 4 – Stroke Introduction:

In this class, swimmers focus on developing basic swimming strokes and personal water safety. The goals of the program include:

  • To develop the front crawl and backcrawl strokes
  • To introduce components of the breaststroke and butterfly strokes
  • To practice safety techniques in deep water

Swim Strokes Stage 5 – Stroke Development:

In this class, students continue to work on their stroke technique and all major competitive strokes are introduced. The goals of the program include:

  • To develop stamina in the front crawl and backcrawl strokes
  • To develop the breaststroke and butterfly strokes
  • To build endurance techniques for deep water safety

Swim Strokes Stage 6 – Stroke Mechanics:

In this class, students refine their stroke technique on all of the major competitive strokes and learn about competitive swimming. The goals of the program include:

  • To develop endurance in the competitive strokes
  • To develop skills related to competitive swimming like racing starts and flip turns
  • To enhance skills and build endurance in deep water

REGISTRATION FOR Winter 1
Members: Opens Monday, Nov. 27
Non-Members: Monday, Dec. 11
->CLICK HERE TO REGISTER<-


Teen/Adult Swim Lessons

REGISTRATION FOR Winter 1
Members: Opens Monday, Nov. 27
Non-Members: Monday, Dec. 11
->CLICK HERE TO REGISTER<-


Questions? Contact: 
Zach Bomkamp
Senior Director of Membership and Aquatics
zbomkamp@kishymca.org
815-375-5379