We believe that swimming is an essential skill for kids of all ages. Our swim lesson program provides guidance and instruction tailored to the age and ability of every swimmer.
Swim Lessons are offered at Downtown Berkeley (indoors), Oakland (indoors), and Pleasant Hill (outdoors) branches.
Ready to swim? Find your swimming level then choose the session that works best for you and your family.
Registration for Group Swim Lessons this July is now open for current Y members! Stay tuned for more lessons and levels starting this September.
Preschool Swimmers (ages 3-5 years)
Pike (Beginner I)
No prior swim lesson experience needed.
Level objectives: Water acclimation, submerging, front and back floats and glides, combined arm paddles and kicks on front.
Eel (Beginner II)
Prerequisites: Comfortable submerging independently, assisted front and back floats and glides.
Level objectives: Unassisted front and back floats and glides, unassisted combined stroke (paddles and kicks with face in water.)
Ray (Intermediate I)
Prerequisites: Unassisted front float and back float (10 seconds,) unassisted combined stroke on front
(kicks and paddles with face in water for 10ft.)
Level objectives: Intro to side-breathing, freestyle with side-breathing, elementary backstroke arms with flutter kicks, and treading water.
Youth Swimmers (ages 6-12 years)
Polliwog (Beginner I)
No prior swim lesson experience needed.
Level objectives: Water acclimation, breath control, submerging, front and back floats and glides, intro to freestyle and elementary backstroke.
Guppy (Intermediate I)
Prerequisites: Comfortable submerging, unassisted front and back float (10 seconds), basic freestyle and elementary backstroke (unassisted 10 ft.)
Level objectives: Intro to side-breathing, freestyle with side-breathing, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breaststroke kick, and treading water.
| Session Times | Swimmer Levels |
|---|---|
| 4:30pm - 5:00pm | Pike (Preschool 1) & Polliwog (Youth 1) |
| 5:05 pm - 5:35pm | Eel (Preschool 2) & Guppy (Youth 2) |
| 5:40pm - 6:10pm | Pike (Preschool 1) & Ray (Preschool 3) |
| 6:15pm - 6:45pm | Eel (Preschool 2) & Guppy (Youth 2) |
| Session Times | Swimmer Levels |
|---|---|
| 4:30pm - 5:00pm | Eel (Preschool 2) & Guppy (Youth 2) |
| 5:05 pm - 5:35pm | Pike (Preschool 1) & Polliwog (Youth 1) |
| 5:40pm - 6:10pm | Eel (Preschool 2) & Guppy (Youth 2) |
| 6:15pm - 6:45pm | Pike (Preschool 1) & Ray (Preschool 3) |
All lessons and levels are available at Downtown Berkeley, Oakland, and Pleasant Hill branches. Select your preferred branch below and then choose the session and level that's right for you!
Berkeley Swim Lessons Oakland Swim Lessons Pleasant Hill Swim Lessons
Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions!
Downtown Berkeley YMCA and Oakland YMCA
Deedee Lundberg,
Sr. Aquatics Director
(510) 665–3257
dlundberg@ymcaeastbay.org
Pleasant Hill YMCA
Ben Pantner
Aquatics and Family Director
(925) 887–4540
bpantner@ymcaeastbay.org
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