Learn- to- Swim Class Descriptions

Parent/Child Water Adjustment Program

Shrimp (sm. pool 30 min.)

Ages 6-18 Months

Perch (sm. pool 30 min.)
Ages 19-36 Months

The Parent/Child Water Adjustment Program is a great way to introduce aquatic safety skills and water enjoyment for both parent and child — in a safe and positive setting. The program is for parents with children ages 6 to 36 months, with a maximum of one instructor for every 6 participants. Parents accompany their children at all times. Certified instructors guide parents in teaching their children fundamental safety and aquatic skills. The St. Cloud YMCA instructors help children feel comfortable and secure in the water. The classes are held in the shallow end of the small pool. Parent/child classes are excellent opportunities for children to begin transitioning to the preschool swim program. Class placement is based on the child’s age.

Preschool Swim Program

 Ages 3-5 years

 Pike  (sm. pool 30 min.) 
This class is for a child that may be apprehensive in the water or who has never had swim lessons.  This class introduces new little swimmers to the pool and helps them develop safe water habits in a fun and encouraging environment. Pikes will focus on basic paddle stroke, kicking skills, blowing bubbles with their face in the water, floating and pool safety. Prerequisite: 42” tall, toilet trained, comfortable without parent.

Eel (sm. pool 30 min.) 
The Eel class is for little swimmers who are well adjusted to the water and eager to learn more! Eel swimmers continue to build upon Pike skills, such as kicking and progressive paddle stroke. Additionally, they learn more about pool safety and develop floating skills. Prerequisites: Pass Pike skills or equivalent.

Ray (sm. pool 30 min.) 
At this level, Ray swimmers are ready to begin developing endurance as well as improving stroke skills. Rays are also introduced to treading water, rhythmic breathing, and rescue skills. They also learn more about personal water safety. Children can swim 20 feet on their front and back by the end of this level. Prerequisites: Pass Eel skills or equivalent.

Starfish (sm. & lg. pool 30 min.)
In this level, children are taught to dive, tread water, and continue to build endurance. Children can swim across the pool on their front and back at the end of this level. This level will help transition children to the large pool. Prerequisites: Pass Ray skills or equivalent

School Age Swim Program

Ages 6 -12 years

 Polliwog  (lg. pool 50 min.)

Polliwog is the beginning level for school-age children to help them become acquainted with the pool and adjust to the water. Polliwog swimmers learn front and back floating skills, the paddle stroke, personal safety, and the use of flotation devices.  Prerequisite: None

 Guppy (lg. pool 50 min.) 

Guppy swimmers continue to build confidence in their abilities by practicing paddle stroke skills, floating, and rotary breathing without the aid of flotation devices. Children learn new skills such as treading water and survival floating. Lead-up strokes to the front crawl, backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke and elementary backstroke are also introduced at this level. Prerequisite: Pass Polliwog skills or equivalent

Minnow (lg. pool 50 min.) 
At the Minnow level, children continue to refine their lead-up stroke skills. Minnow swimmers also continue to develop endurance by swimming 25 yards of refined front crawl and backstroke. They also learn more diving skills. Prerequisites: Pass Guppy skills or equivalent

Fish (lg. pool 50 min.)
Children refine front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and breaststroke. The butterfly stroke is also introduced at this level. Fish swimmers continue to build endurance by swimming up to 50 yards. Prerequisites: Pass Minnow skills or equivalent

Stroke School  (lg. pool 50 min.) 
Stroke School is an advanced level where students focus on stroke enhancements and more endurance. Open turns and treading water with a rotary kick are introduced to students at this level. Prerequisites: Pass Fish skills or equivalent 

New Swim Academy

Swim Academy is a progressive performance-based program that meets two times per week for more intensive swim skill development. Participants must achieve a proficiency in all skills to progress to the next level.

Level I- Designed for swimmers, who are comfortable in the water and able to swim 10 feet by themselves. Class will focus on basic stroke mechanics, endurance, body position in the water. 50-minute class. Prerequisites: pass Polliwog or equivalent.

Level II- Designed for swimmers who can swim 25 yards by themselves, this class focuses on the front crawl with rotary breathing, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. 50-minute class. Prerequisites: Pass Minnow or equivalent.