Swim Lessons

Make a splash with YMCA Swim Lessons!  Learning to swim teaches skills to be safe in the water and so much more. Swimming builds self confidence, develops self-esteem and makes water a safe, fun environment for a lifetime. We are focused on teaching lifesaving skills and developing a generation of strong swimmers and confident kids.

Winter 2022 Swim Lessons
Click Here for Swim Lesson Level Descriptions to choose the class that's right for you! 



PLEASE NOTE:
All Youth Group Swim Lessons Programs will be ON PAUSE through January 2022
following the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education safety protocols. 

In response to the Covid pandemic in our community and current public health recommendations - we hope to resume Group Swim Lessons in February with the following protocols:
- Swim Lesson Class Capacity has been reduced to allow for distancing between students.
- Children and adults who are actively participating in lessons will not have to wear masks while in the water.
- Swim Instructors will be teaching in the water and will not have to wear masks while in the water.
- Those accompanying their children and are not actively in the water will be required to keep their masks on in the Aquatics Center.
- Swim Lessons are subject to change based on Public Health Recommendations.

Session 2: Winter Swim Lessons
Session 2: January 31 - February 24 (4 weeks, 8 classes)
Session 2 Registration Opens: Tuesday, January 25 at 9am

Session 3: Winter Swim Lessons
Session 3: February 28 - March 17 (3 weeks, 6 classes)
Session 3 Registration Opens: Tuesday, February 22 at 9am

Small Pool Classes

Register HERE

Lap Pool Classes

Register HERE

Choose Your Swim Lesson Level 
PARENT/CHILD (Ages: 6 months - 3 years)
Experience the water with your baby. This class introduces your child to blowing bubbles, kicking and floating. Have fun playing, singing songs and getting comfortable in the water.
Prerequisite: 6 - 36 months of age. 

PIKE (Ages: 3-5 years old)
Water adjustment, safe pool behavior and fun are the focus of this beginning level class. Children will learn arm stroke, kicking, blowing bubbles, and floating in the small pool.
Prerequisite: 3-5 years old and can separate from parents.

EEL (Ages: 3-5 years old)
This class builds on the basic swimming skills learned in the Pike class. Learning to float, kick and swim on the front and back without any assistance are the main goals of Eel. 
Prerequisite: Comfortably be underwater for 3-5 seconds. 

POLLIWOG (Ages: 6 years and up)
As the beginning level for school aged children, Polliwog focuses on kicking, floating, backstroke, and freestyle with rotary breathing in deep and shallow water. 
Prerequisite: 6 years and older or Instructor approval.

GUPPY (Ages: 6 years and up)
Students continue to practice freestyle and backstroke, and are introduced to breaststroke. Children also learn personal safety, sitting dive, and beginning skills for flip turns. 
Prerequisite: Swim freestyle and backstroke 15 yards.

MINNOW (Ages: 6 years and up)
This class helps build endurance and develop technique for all of the strokes. Students practice rotary breathing, learn standing dive, and are introduced to butterfly.
Prerequisite: Swim freestyle and backstroke 25 yards.

PRE-COMPETITION (Ages: 6 years and up)
With an emphasis on endurance and preparation for swim team, students learn racing starts, flip turn, and continue to strengthen swimming technique in all four strokes.
Prerequisite: Completion of Minnow or Instructor approval.

Questions about Swim Lessons: 
Please email our Aquatics Coordinator, Chrystal at chrystal@eugeneymca.org.

The Y is happy to bring limited Private Swim Lessons back to our schedule! During this time, we will be offering an individualized approach to swim lessons. Your Y wants to continue to offer opportunities for students to learn the basics of swimming and water safety in a fun and safe way.

To Request a Private Swim Lesson: 
Please complete our Private Lesson Request Form. 

Private Lesson Options:
Each lesson is 30-minutes long and takes place at the Eugene Family YMCA. All Swim Lessons are scheduled based on pool and instructor availability. 

• Private Lessons: 1 student per lesson
• Semi-Private Lessons: 2 students per lesson
  students must be within two swimming levels of each other
  students must be in the same Family Group 
• Family Group Lessons: 3-4 students per lesson
  students must be within two swimming levels of each other.
  students must be in the same Family Group

Swim Lesson Instruction:
Swim Lessons will be taught by a Swim Instructor who is physically distant from students. Some students may require a supervising adult (parent or guardian) in the water during lessons. Please see details below:

• Lap Pool: All students must be able to swim independently in the pool (without any adult assistance). Swim Instructors will be teaching from the pool deck.
• Small Pool: Instruction will be determined by the swimming level of the child(ren). Children who are comfortable in the small pool, taller than 3.5 feet and can follow instruction from a physically distanced Swim Instructor may not require a Supervising Adult in the water with them. Children who are shorter than 3.5 feet and are not able to follow instruction from a physically distanced Swim Instructor will require a Supervising Adult in the water with them during lessons. A Supervising Adult is a parent or guardian who is part of the student's family group. Each participating child requires a Supervising Adult. Swim Instructors will teach from the pool deck or be physically distant from students in the water. 

Private Swim Lesson Costs:

Costs listed are for each individual student for (1) lesson. Each swim lesson is 30-minutes long.

To Schedule a Private Swim Lesson: 
Please complete our Private Lesson Request Form.
For questions or additional information, please email our Aquatics Coordinator, Chrystal at chrystal@eugeneymca.org.

• PLEASE NOTE: All lessons are scheduled based on instructor and pool availability. 
• WAIT LIST: Group Swim Lessons do fill up quickly. If you are put on a WAIT LIST, a Y staff member will contact you if a spot becomes available.
• Lesson Refund Policy:  Due to high demand and small class size, we are unable to offer refunds once lessons have started. 

Financial Assistance Form​
For more information, please reach out to:
aquatics@eugeneymca.org / 541-686-9622