Downtown Berkeley YMCA Swimming Programs
The YMCA of the East Bay Area offers swim lessons for all ages so that everyone can safely enjoy being in the water. Swimming is a life skill, as well as great exercise and a challenging sport.
Infant & Toddler Swim Lessons
(Ages 6 months - 3 years) Introduce your little one to the pool with fun lessons that will acclimate them to the water.
The primary objective of the Parent/Child swim classes is to get both the parent and the child comfortable in the water under the guidance of the instructor. Games, songs and toys are used to make children feel at ease in pool and parents will learn about water safety.
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SHRIMP
No prior swim lesson experience needed for this level.
Level objectives: Water acclimation, blowing bubbles, submerging, back floats, in water motor skills. Children are required to wear non disposable swim diapers.
PERCH
No prior swim lesson experience needed for this level.
Level objectives: Water acclimation, breath control, submerging, bobs, front and back float, follow cues from instructor, enter and exit water with little to no assistance. Children are required to wear non disposable swim diapers.
DOLPHIN
This is a more advanced toddler program and students should have passed the Perch class or have comparable skills listed under perch.
Level objectives: Deep-water acclimation, independent water entry and exit, follow cues from instructor, unassisted front and back float, swim to instructor without hesitation.
Preschool Swim Lessons
(Ages 3 - 5 years) Kids gain a tremendous sense of self-worth when they learn to swim and improve aquatic skills, all while having fun in the water!
This programs offers children their first experience in the pool without parental assistance. The children are taught the basic stroke development, personal rescue skills and are introduced to various water games. They learn about pool and boating safety as well as the use of personal flotation devices. Once students demonstrate an outstanding ability in each level’s objectives, they can progress to the next level.
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PIKE
No prior swim lesson experience needed for this level.
Level objectives: Water acclimation, submerging, assisted front float (5 seconds) and back float (5 – 10 seconds), assisted front and back glide, bobs, assisted combined arm paddles and kicks on front, unassisted exit/entry and safety slide.
EEL
Prerequisites: Comfortable submerging independently, front and back glide, unassisted front float (5 seconds) and back float (5–10 seconds), unassisted exit/entry and safety slide.
Level objectives: Front and back floats, front and back glides, kicks, combined stroke.
RAY
Prerequisites: Independent front float (5 seconds), back float (5–10 seconds), front and back glides with kicks, combined stroke.
Level objectives: Pop-up breathing, Freestyle with pop-up breathing, introduction to side breathing, and Elementary Backstroke arms with flutter kicks.
STARFISH
Prerequisites: Comfort in deep water, independent Freestyle with pop-up breathing, independent Elementary Backstroke arms with flutter kick.
Level objectives: Freestyle with side-breathing, stroke refinement and endurance for Freestyle, Backstroke, Elementary Backstroke with Breaststroke kick, kneeling dives, treading water 20 – 30 seconds.
School Age Swim Lessons
(Ages 6 - 12 years) Kids learn basic stroke, pool safety, water sports and games in a friendly environment with peers.
YMCA swim lessons include five components: personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, games and fun, and water rescue. We teach in a progressive way using positive reinforcement and incorporating our four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. At the end of each session, your child receives a progress report that indicates the skills they have learned and the appropriate level for the following session.
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POLLIWOG
No prior swim lesson experience needed for this level.
Level objectives: Water acclimation, breath control, submerging, unassisted front float (5 seconds) and back float (10 seconds), unassisted front and back glides with kicks, combined stroke with pop-up breathing, Elementary Backstroke arms with flutter kicks.
GUPPY
Prerequisites: Comfortable submerging, unassisted front float (5 seconds) and back float (10 seconds), front and back glides with kicks, combined stroke with pop-up breathing Elementary Backstroke with flutter kicks.
Level objectives: Deep-water acclimation, Freestyle with side-breathing, Backstroke, Elementary Backstroke with Breaststroke kick, kneeling dives, treading water (20–30 seconds).
MINNOW
Prerequisites: Comfort in deep water, treading water 20 – 30 seconds, Freestyle with side-breathing, Backstroke, Breaststroke kick.
Level objectives: Deep-water acclimation, Freestyle with sidebreathing, Backstroke, Breaststroke with flexed feet, kneeling dives, treading water (30 – 40 seconds).
FISH
Prerequisites: 50 yards Freestyle with side-breathing, 25 yards Backstroke, 25 yards Breaststroke with flexed feet, comfort in deep water.
Level objectives: Stroke refinement and endurance for Freestyle with bilateral breathing, Backstroke, Breaststroke with flexed feet, Dolphin kick and Butterfly, racing dives, treading water (60 seconds) and lapswimming technique.
FLYING FISH
Prerequisites: 100 yards Freestyle with side breathing, 100 yards Backstroke, 50 yards Breaststroke with flexed feet, Butterfly, treading comfort in deep water.
Level objectives: Stroke refinement and endurance for all four competitive strokes, Individual Medley, flip turns for Freestyle and Backstroke, open turns for Butterfly and Breaststroke, racing dive and relay dive.
COMPETITIVE STROKE PROGRAM: AGES 7–14 YEARS
Level objectives: Improving stroke technique, increasing endurance, and promoting health and wellness.
Teen Swim Lessons
(Ages 13 - 17 years) Teens focus on stroke development, personal growth, personal safety, and water sports.
YMCA teen and adult swim lessons are designed for those who are looking to improve their strokes, learn to swim laps for exercise or just feel more comfortable in the water. This is a safe and supportive environment and all skill levels are welcome. Swimming is a vital life skill, great exercise and a challenging sport.
For questions or to enroll, contact:
Hunter McKee
Associate Aquatics Director
hmckee@ymcacba.org
510-665-3249
Adult Swim Lessons
(Ages 18+ years) It’s never too late to improve upon your swimming skills and gain confidence in the water.
YMCA adult swim lessons are designed for those who are looking to improve their strokes, learn to swim laps for exercise or just feel more comfortable in the water. This is a safe and supportive environment and all skill levels are welcome. Swimming is a vital life skill, great exercise and a challenging sport.
For questions or to enroll, contact:
Hunter McKee
Associate Aquatics Director
hmckee@ymcacba.org
510-665-3249
Private / Semi-Private
Private lessons and semi-privates are an alternative for children and adults to improve swimming skills through one-on-one attention and coaching.
Get personalized attention and meet the unique needs of the student. Private swim lessons are taught by qualified YMCA swim instructors. After an initial assessment, instructors help members improve their swimming skills through drills, encouragement and coaching. Available on a limited basis. Semi-privates are available for children only and is a lesson shared with two participants who are close in age and swimming ability.
For questions or to enroll, contact:
Hunter McKee
Associate Aquatics Director
hmckee@ymcacba.org
510-665-3249