Swim Lessons

YMCA swim lessons are designed to help participants of all ages build confidence, develop essential water safety skills, and progress through age-appropriate instruction. With programs for infants, youth, teens, and adults, lessons focus on comfort and safety in the water, stroke development, and lifelong swimming skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Our swim lesson program is organized into developmental stages that guide swimmers from early water introduction through advanced skill building. Each stage is thoughtfully designed to match a swimmer’s age, comfort level, and ability, allowing participants to progress at their own pace while gaining confidence in and around the water.

Whether your swimmer is just beginning to explore the water, learning basic safety skills, or ready to refine stroke technique, YMCA swim lessons provide a strong foundation for water safety, healthy activity, and fun.

Lesson Levels

Water Discovery & Exploration: Introduces younger swimmers to the water with a focus on comfort, safety, and positive water experiences.

L1: Water Acclimation: Helps swimmers become comfortable in the water while learning basic safety and movement skills.

L2: Water Movement: Builds on basic skills and introduces forward movement, floating, and continued water safety.

L3: Water Stamina: Helps swimmers develop endurance, improve technique, and continue building confidence in the water.

L4: Stroke Introduction: Introduces basic stroke technique and helps swimmers continue progressing toward stronger swimming skills.

Group Swim Lessons

Group swim lessons are available at both the Decatur County Family YMCA and the Shelby County YMCA. Classes are organized by skill level to help participants learn in an age-appropriate and ability-based setting. Swimmers may begin in the stage that best matches their current comfort and skill level and continue progressing as they gain confidence and ability in the water.

Decatur County Family YMCA

Group Swim Lesson Sessions:

March 31–May 30

June 1–June 11

June 15–June 25

July 6–July 16

July 20–July 30

August 11–October 10

Class Times:

Water Discovery & Exploration: Thursdays, 5:30–6:00 PM

L1 Water Acclimation: Wednesdays, 4:30–5:00 PM

L2 Water Movement: Wednesdays, 5:10–5:40 PM

L3 Water Stamina: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:00 PM

L4 Stroke Introduction: Tuesdays, 5:10–5:40 PM

Pricing: Members: $92 | Non-members: $112

Shelby County YMCA

Group Swim Lesson Sessions:

March 2–April 1

April 13–May 6

May 18–June 15

June 22–July 22

August 10–September 2

Class Times:

Water Discovery & Exploration: Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00–5:30 PM

L1 Water Acclimation: Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00–5:30 PM

L2 Water Movement: Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:40–6:10 PM

L3 Water Stamina: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:20–6:50 PM

L4 Stroke Introduction: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:20–6:50 PM

Pricing: Members: $67 | Non-members: $109