Aquatics

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National YMCA Swim Program

Please register your child in the appropriate age group commensurate with their skills. For all advanced placements, the child must have passed the appropriate preceding level. Please do not ask to have your children placed at a level for which they are not prepared as this will impair their confidence and reduce their development as a swimmer. The YMCA Progressive Swim Lesson Program is designed to build on essential skills to reach the optimal level. If you are not sure what level your child should be placed in, please contact the Aquatics Director to have your child evaluated before signing up for a class. Click here for registration dates, session dates and fees regarding below programs.

For DAYS AND TIMES that swim lessons are currently being offered at our branches - click to right, "Schedules".

SWIM LESSONS DESCRIPTIONS:

Parent-Child I Swim Lessons

This is a water adjustment, water enrichment course where children ages 6-24mos. learn basic water skills through songs and play with a parent or trusted adult in the water. Children must wear swim diapers. This is not an infant survival course.

Parent-Child II Swim Lessons

This is a water adjustment, water enrichment course where children ages 2-3 yrs. will learn basic water skills through songs and play with a parent or trusted adult in the water. This is also a transition course where the children will learn to swim without a parent in the water. Children must wear swim diapers. This is not an infant survival course.

Pre-Skippers Swim Lessons

This is a transition stage in which 2 & 3 year olds who completed the parent child class begin to learn to swim without a parent in the water. Must have permission from Aquatics Director before registering for class. Swim Diapers are required to be worn. This is not an infant survival course.

Pike Swim Lessons

Beginner level for 3-5 year olds where children are not yet comfortable submerging their faces under water and swim with faces out of water. They are just beginning to use the arms and legs to develop a basic stroke. Class focuses on teaching basic rules of safe swimming and basic swimming skills including kicking, floating, submerging and paddle stroke. Children use instructional flotation devices and progress at their own rate.

Eel Swim Lessons

Intermediate level for 3-5 year olds where children are comfortable submerging their faces under water and swim with faces in the water but are still developing their front and back strokes. Class focuses on teaching basic rules of safe swimming and continues to build on already acquired swimming skills such as kicking, floating, front crawl, back crawl, and submerging. Teaches additional skills including rhythmic breathing while swimming. Children may or may not use instructional flotation devices.

Ray/Starfish Swim Lessons

Advanced level for 3-5 year olds where children are completely comfortable submerging under water, are swimming with faces in water, and have already developed front and back crawl strokes but are now working on better technique and distance with the strokes. Should be able to swim at least 20 yards (about the length of the pool) without tiring. Focus is on building upon already acquired swimming skills such as front crawl and back crawl, building endurance to swim longer distances, and teaching additional strokes including breastroke and elementarty backstroke. Water safety rules and survival skills such as floating and treading also taught. Children do not use instructional flotation devices.

Polliwog Swim Lessons

Beginner level for 6-12 year olds where children may or may not be comfortable submerging under water and may or may not be swimming with their faces in the water. Children may just be beginning to use their arms and legs to develop the strokes or may still be developing their front and back strokes. Class focuses on teaching basic front and back crawl strokes, swimming continuously with the face in the water, and using side breathing. Water safety rules and survival skills such as floating and treading also taught.

Minnow/Fish/Flying Fish Swim Lessons

Advanced level for 6-12 year olds where children have already developed the front and back strokes and have built a great amount of endurance but are working on perfecting the technique of the strokes. Children should be able to swim at least 50 yds (down and back the length of the pool) multiple times without tiring. Class focuses on refining all strokes, continues to increase endurance of the strokes, and introduces the butterfly stroke. Water safety rules and survival skills such as floating and treading are also reviewed and practiced.

Guppy Swim Lessons

Intermediate level for 6-12 year olds where children are completely comfortable submerging under water, are swimming with their faces in the water, and have already developed the front and back crawl strokes but are now working on better technique and distance with the strokes. Children in this level should be able to swim at least 20 yards (about the length of the pool) multiple times without tiring. Class focuses on refining the front crawl stroke with rhythmic breathing and the back crawl stroke. Also focuses on building endurance to swim longer distances and teaches additional strokes including breaststroke and elementary backstroke. Water safety rules and survival skills such as floating and treading are also reviewed and practiced.

SPLASH Swim Lessons (FREE)

SPLASH is designed for children who have not been introduced to swimming and water safety. It is a one-week FREE program structured to help prevent pool and swimming accidents in our community. The objective of the SPLASH program is to introduce children to basic water skills and survival techniques and to teach them about being safe around the water.

Registration: May 1st

Y Swim Team Programs

Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners Swim Team

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners Swim Team is the largest swim team in Manatee County! The program consists of five practice levels to accommodate swimmers of all ages and abilities and is available year round. All swimmers must tryout prior to joining the team and must be full-privileged Manatee County YMCA members to participate. Tryouts are every Tuesday at 5:45PM at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA pool. Registration occurs after level placement evaluation by the swim coaches at tryouts which are every Tuesday at 5:45PM at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA pool. Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners swim team is a competitive, USA sanctioned program available year round.

Bradenton Branch "BARRACUDAS" Swim Team

This YMCA swim team competes in the 8 team suncoast league in the summer. It is a developmental league in which everyone competes and has a great time. So if you love to swim and compete in a fun and non-threatening environment, this team is for you. We will compete in 4 meets and a big meet at the end of the summer. Must be able to swim at least 1 length of the pool. Season will run April 18 - July 31, 2011. (15 week program) Practice on Monday/Wednesday. Ages 5-8 from 6:30 - 7:15 pm and ages 9 and up 7:15 - 8:15 pm.

Swim Team Stroke Clinic

This program is held at the Bradenton Branch Y and is available to members and non-members.