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
Join the Y in December for $0 Join Fee. Members save 50% on swim lessons.
Join the YSwim 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
2025 SWIM LESSON SESSION DATES
8-week swim lessons
Prices vary by branch Members: $89/Community Members: $178
Session 1
January 5-March 1
Registration opens: December 1, for Y members
December 10, for the community
Session 2
March 2-April 26 (No classes 4/20)
Registration opens: February 1 for Y members
February 10 for the community
Session 3
May 4-June 28 (No classes 5/26)
Registration opens: April 1 for Y members
April 10 for the community
Session 4
June 29-August 23 (No classes 7/4)
Registration opens: June 1 for Y members
June 10 for the community
Session 5
August 31-October 25 (No classes 9/1)
Registration opens: August 1 for Y members
August 10 for the community
Session 6
October 26-December 20 (No classes 10/31 or 11/27)
Registration opens: October 1 for Y members
October 10 for the community
Session 4
June 30-August 24 (No classes 7/4/24)
Registration opens: June 1 for Y members
June 10 for the community
Session 5
September 1-October 26 (No classes 9/2/24)
Registration opens: August 1 for Y members
August 10 for the community
Session 6
October 27-December 21 (No classes 10/31/24 or 11/28/24)
Registration opens: October 1 for Y members
October 10 for the community
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.
