WHERE STRONG SWIMMERS BECOME CONFIDENT KIDS!
Whether it is gaining the confidence that comes from learning how to swim or building positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork from being part of a swim team, swimming at the Y is about building the whole child from the inside out.
The Southington YMCA follows the YMCA Swim Lesson Curriculum, which includes a core group of aquatic skills every person needs to be safe around water. As the foundation of our program, these skills allow students to learn correct swim stroke techniques. This program is designed to teach safety, confidence, and strength in the water in a supportive and nurturing environment. Students begin with and build upon skills they are ready to learn, helping them to celebrate their successes and enjoy learning to swim and water safety.
Ages: 3 to 5
The most important aspect of preschool swimming is to ensure the child is comfortable in the water and ready to make advancements to learn to swim independently. Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills:
- Swim, float, swim.
- Jump, push, turn, grab.
Please note that all NEW Swimmers will be tested on the first day of class and be placed in the appropriate stage based on their ability to swim. Please simply register for Preschool Swim Lessons, and we will take care of the rest.
Preschool Swim Lesson Stages:
Water Acclimation:
In this beginning class, the children develop comfort with being underwater and learn how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this stage: NONE
Water Movement:
In this class, children are taught skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles, (2) able to float on front and back with minimal assistance, (3) able to jump in the pool, submerge and return to the wall with assistance.
Water Stamina:
In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim to safety.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to float on front and back unassisted, (2) able to push off the wall on stomach with face submerged for 10ft unassisted, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15ft unassisted, (4) able to jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted.
For more information, please contact Barbara Glaude at bglaude@sccymca.org or at 860-426-9553.
Ages: 5 to 12
Please note that all NEW Swimmers will be tested on the first day of class and be placed in the appropriate level based on their ability to swim. Please simply register for School Age Swim Lessons and we will take care of the rest.
School Age Swim Lesson Stages:
Water Acclimation:
In this beginning class, the children develop comfort with being underwater and learn how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this stage: NONE
Water Movement:
In this class, children are taught skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to safely exit in the event of fall into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles, (2) able to float on front and back with minimal assistance, (3) able to jump in the pool, submerge and return to the wall with assistance.
Water Stamina:
In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim to safety.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to float on front and back unassisted, (2) able to push off wall on stomach with face submerged for 10ft unassisted, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15ft unassisted, (4) able to jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted.
Stroke Introduction:
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to submerge and retrieve an object in chest deep water, (2) able to swim front crawl 15yds while taking a breath, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15yds, (4) able to jump in and tread water for 30 seconds, (5) able to swim to wall and exit.
Stroke Development:
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major swim strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to front crawl and back crawl 25yds, (2) able to swim breaststroke kick and dolphin kick 15yds, (3) able to tread water using multiple kicks for 1 minute.
Stroke Mechanics:
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this stage: (1) able to swim front crawl with bent arm recovery and rotary breathing for 25yds, (2) able to swim back crawl with stroke rotation for 25yds, (3) able to swim butterfly with overarm recovery, (4) able to swim breastroke for 25yds achieving stroke rhythm, (5) able to dive from a kneeling position.
For more information please contact Barbara Glaude at bglaude@sccymca.org or at 860-426-9553.
SWIM STARTERS:
Both of these classes are perfect for children with special needs and their caregivers.
Water Discovery/Water Exploration
Ages 6 months to 3 years
In this beginning class, the children along with their parent or caregiver discover the water environment and how to safely enter and exit the pool. Additional skills demonstrated in the class include bubble blowing and rolling over from front to back and back to front.
As children are able to perform skills on their own, additional skills demonstrated in this class may include more independent skills of floating, back and front gliding, and entry and exit.
For more information, please contact Barbara Glaude at bglaude@sccymca.org or at 860-426-9553.
Ages 5 and up
The YMCA offers private swim lessons that are 30 minutes in length. These lessons teach beginners the basic fundamentals of floating and swimming and stroke development for more advanced swimmers. Lessons are registered as a regular part of our registration process. Lessons are generally in 7-week blocks. Membership to the SCCYMCA is required.
For more information, please contact Barbara Glaude at bglaude@sccymca.org or at 860-426-9553.
Ages 3 to 12
In this class, children are taught the skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to exit safely. This program is a small group setting with 1 to 2 students per instructor. Parents/ Guardians will be asked what the needs are of their swimmer to help us create the best experience for the child with special needs. Please contact Barbara Glaude at bglaude@sccymca.org or at 860-426-9553 with questions or concerns.
Parent and Child Swim Starters Classes are also available for Children with Special Needs from 6 months to 4 years. Please see Parent and Child pages for additional information.
This program is designed to teach children about aquatic fitness through lap swimming. This is not a replacement for swim lessons; participants must be able to swim the length of the pool comfortably and without flotation. Swim caps and goggles are strongly recommended for this program. Swimmers will perform the 4 competitive strokes during this program, build endurance and work towards tryouts for the RAYS or Seadogs Swim team programs.
For more information, please contact Barbara Glaude at bglaude@sccymca.org or at 860-426-9553.
Aquatic Fitness Shallow/Deep:
Our Aquatic Fitness program develops flexibility, strength, endurance, and range of motion in individuals who enjoy working out in a pool or with limited ability while enjoying less stress on their joints. Participants can work at their own pace. Exercising in the water is less stressful to bones, joints, and muscles, making it a great option for any fitness level. Shallow end participants can stand, and deep participants will wear a water belt to assist in flotation. Classes are 45 minutes long.
Adult Swim Lessons:
Small group lessons are available for Adults who would like to learn to swim or work on their current swim skills. Adults may also sign up for Private Swim Lessons if desired. Check our schedule for current availability. Classes are 30 minutes in length. Contact Barbara Glaude bglaude@sccymca.org for additional information or to ask additional questions.