Swim Lessons
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati offers swim lessons that use a skill-based approach designed to meet the needs of our participants. Lessons are given across 8-week sessions.
Session dates and class descriptions below
Browse Dates and Times
Swim Assessment
Swim Lesson Levels
Water Discovery : Level A
Parents/guardians accompany children, encouraging them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.
Water Exploration: Level B
Parents/guardians work with their children to explore body positions and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.
Water Acclimation : Level 1
Develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Water Movement : Level 2
Focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water. Ages 3-12
Water Stamina : Level 3
Learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. Also introduces integrated arm and leg action.
Stroke Introduction : Level 4
Develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.
Stroke Development : Level 5
Work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes with the addition of water safety by learning new treading techniques and sidestroke.
Stroke Mechanics : Level 6
Refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.
SESSIONS and registration dates
2026 SWIM LESSON SESSION DATES
8-week swim lessons
Prices vary by branch Members: $94/Community Members: $188
Session 1
January 4 – February 28
Registration opens:
December 1 for Y members
December 10 for the community
Session 2
March 1 – April 25
Registration opens:
February 1 for Y members
February 10 for the community
(No classes 4/5/26)
Session 3
May 3 – June 27
Registration opens:
April 1 for Y members
April 10 for the community
(No classes 5/16/26 and 5/25/26)
Session 4
June 28 – August 22
Registration opens:
June 1 for Y members
June 10 for the community
(No classes 7/4/26)
Session 5
August 30 – October 24
Registration opens:
August 1 for Y members
August 10 for the community
(No classes 9/7/26)
Session 6
October 25 – December 19
Registration opens:
October 1 for Y members
October 10 for the community
(No classes 11/26/26)
PARENT & CHILD Classes
STAGE A: WATER DISCOVERY | Ages 6 months -3 years
- Blow Bubbles on surface, assisted
- Front Tow chin in water, assisted
- Water Exit parent & child together
- Water Entry parent & child together
- Back Float assisted, head on shoulder
- Roll assisted
- Front Float chin in water, assisted
- Back Tow assisted, head on shoulder
- Wall Grab assisted
STAGE B: WATER EXPLORATION | Ages 6 months -3 years
- Blow Bubbles mouth and nose submerged, assisted
- Front Tow blow bubbles, assisted
- Water Exit assisted
- Water Entry assisted
- Back Float assisted, head on chest
- Roll assisted
- Front Float blow bubbles, assisted
- Back Tow assisted, head on chest
- Monkey Crawl assisted, on edge, 5 ft.
Levels 1 and 2
STAGE 1: WATER ACCLIMATION | Age groups 3-5 & 5-12
- Submerge bob independently
- Front glide assisted, to wall, 5 ft.
- Water exit independently
- Jump, push, turn, grab assisted
- Back glide assisted, at wall, 5 ft.
- Front float assisted, 10 secs., recover independently
- Swim, float, swim assisted, 10 ft.
- Back float assisted, 10 secs., recover independently
- Roll assisted, back to front & front to back
STAGE 2: WATER MOVEMENT | Age groups 3-5 & 5-12
- Submerge look at object on bottom
- Front glide 5 ft.
- Jump, push, turn, grab
- Front float 10 secs.
- Roll back to front & front to back, float 10 secs.
- Tread water 10 secs., near wall, & exit
- Back glide 5 ft.
- Swim, float, swim 5 yd.
Levels 3 and 4
STAGE 3: WATER STAMINA | Age groups 3-5 & 5-12
- Submerge Retrieve object in chest-deep water
- Swim on Front 15 yd.
- Water Exit independently
- Jump, Swim, Turn, Swim, Grab 10 yd.
- Swim on Back 15 yd.
- Roll
- Tread Water 1 min. & exit
- Swim, Float, Swim 25 yd.
STAGE 4: STROKE INTRODUCTION | Age groups 3-5 & 5-12
- Endurance any stroke or combination of strokes, 25 yd.
- Front Crawl rotary breathing, 15 yd.
- Back Crawl 15 yd.
- Dive sitting
- Resting Stroke elementary backstroke, 15 yd.
- Tread Water scissor & whip kick, 1 min.
- Breaststroke kick, 15 yd.
- Butterfly kick, 15 yd.
Levels 5 and 6
STAGE 5: STROKE DEVELOPMENT |Ages 5-12
- Endurance any stroke or combination of strokes, 50 yd.
- Front Crawl bent-arm recovery, 25 yd.
- Back Crawl pull, 25 yd.
- Dive kneeling
- Resting Stroke sidestroke, 25 yd.
- Tread Water scissor & whip kick, 2 mins.
- Breaststroke 25 yd.
- Butterfly simultaneous arm action & kick, 15 yd.
STAGE 6: STROKE MECHANICS | Ages 5-12
- Endurance any stroke or combination of strokes, 150 yd.
- Front Crawl flip turn, 50 yd.
- Back Crawl pull & flip turn, 50 yd.
- Dive standing
- Resting Stroke elementary backstroke or sidestroke, 50 yd.
- Tread Water retrieve object off bottom, tread 1 min.
- Breaststroke open turn, 50 yd.
- Butterfly 25 yd.
Pre-Competitive Swimming
The Sandsharks is an introductory program to prepare swimmers for the Tigersharks Swim Team. Programs offered at both the Powel Crosley, Jr. and Clippard branches for ages 6-12. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards Freestyle and Backstroke without stopping. Sessions are Fall, Winter and Spring at both locations.
Members save 50% on swim lessons.
Swim lessons at the Y build confidence, friendships and life-saving skills
in a welcoming space where every swimmer can grow and belong.
With caring instructors and supportive peers, participants celebrate milestones,
strengthen relationships and feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Join the Y
Financial assistance available
We believe every child deserves access to safe, enriching before and after school care. The YMCA offers financial assistance and scholarships for families who qualify. We never want cost to stand in the way of a child’s opportunity to belong, grow, and thrive.
Learn About Financial Assistance
