YMCA Aquatics is about water safety, skill development and fun for everyone. At the YMCA, aquatics include swim lessons for all ages, water exercise, lifeguard certification, fitness and water safety. We have an aquatic program for every skill level and interest. Our programs are about more than just the techniques and skills; they are about building friendships, developing self-esteem and creating positive experiences that will last a lifetime.
YMCA Swim Lessons -The YMCA offers a wide range of swimming options for the whole family. Swimming builds self-confidence and develops the whole person – spirit, mind and body. Classes are divided into ability groups and trained instructors emphasize personal safety, swimming skills, endurance and social skills, while guiding students with praise and encouragement.
Water Exercise - Studies show that 20 minutes of serious water aerobics burns more fat calories than jogging a mile. Studies also show that the harder you push in the water, the more resistance the water gives back. Plus, with no impact on your joints, water exercise is great for injury recovery purposes. Schedules are available at your YMCA Welcome Centers.
Private Swim Lessons - Available for ages 3 and up. Register at the Welcome Center. Fees are as follows, and lessons will be held a minimum of once a week.
Facility Member:
$100/four, 30-min classes
Program Member:
$120/four, 30-min classes
SWIM LESSONS
Spring Swim Lessons Session 1
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Mar 31-Apr 24 M/W 4:45pm
3-12yrs Mar 31-Apr 24 Tu/Th 4:45pm
3-12yrs Mar 31-Apr 24 M/W 5:30pm
3-12yrs Mar 31-Apr 24 Tu/Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs Mar 31-Apr 24 M/W 6:15pm
3-12yrs Mar 31-Apr 24 Tu/Th 6:15pm
Spring Swim Lessons Session 2
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Apr 28-May 22 M/W 4:45pm
3-12yrs Apr 28-May 22 Tu/Th 4:45pm
3-12yrs Apr 28-May 22 M/W 5:30pm
3-12yrs Apr 18-May 22 Tu/Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs Apr 28-May 22 M/W 6:15pm
3-12yrs Apr 28-May 22 Tu/Th 6:15pm
Early Bird Session 3
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs May 27-Jun 5 M-Th 4:45pm
3-12yrs May 27-Jun 5 M-Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs May 27-Jun 5 M-Th 6:15pm
Summer Swim Lessons Session 1
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 9am
3-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 9:45am
6mos-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 10:30am
3-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 11:15am
3-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 4:45pm
6mos-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs Jun 9-Jun 19 M-Th 6:15pm
Summer Swim Lessons Session 2
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 9am
3-12yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 9:45am
6mos-12yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 10:30am
3-12yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 11:15am
3-12yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 4:45pm
6mos-12yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 5:30pm
3-11yrs Jun 23-Jul 3 M-Th 6:15pm
Summer Swim Lessons Session 3
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 9am
3-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 9:45am
6mos-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 10:30am
3-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 11:15am
3-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 4:45pm
6mos-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs Jul 7-Jul 17 M-Th 6:15pm
Summer Swim Lessons Session 4
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 9am
3-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 9:45am
6mos-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 10:30am
3-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 11:15am
3-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 4:45pm
6mos-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs Jul 21-Jul 31 M-Th 6:15pm
Summer Swim Lessons Session 5
Ages Dates Days Times
3-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 9am
3-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 9:45am
6mos-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 10:30am
3-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 11:15am
3mos-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 4:45pm
6mos-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 5:30pm
3-12yrs Aug 4-Aug 14 M-Th 6:15pm
Lifeguard Certification Courses
This certification course is designed to give participants the skills and knowledge needed to be a lifeguard. The comprehensive course offers up-to-date information on how to guard, anticipate and prevent problems, and to take action to help those in danger. It also covers safety and survival skills every swimmer needs to know, accident prevention, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills and first aid in aquatic environments.
Lifeguards must be certified in First Aid/Professional Rescuer CPR/Automated External Defibrillator/Oxygen Administration (offered during class)
Course Requirements:
Minimum age of 16 by the end of the course. If under the age of 18, must have parental consent.
Must be a STRONG swimmer and pass a prerequisite swim test on the first day of class.
See Welcome Center for additional requirements and registration information.
Session I:
March 16-20, 9:00am-6:00pm each day
Session II:
March 28, 29, 30 & April 4, 5, 6
Friday 5:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
Session III:
June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
Friday 5:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
Facility Member: $125
Program Member: $150
*Must attend every class in session. No exceptions.
Parent/Child (6-36 months)
The parent/child classes are taught as a combined class for ages 6 to 36 months with the parent accompanying the child in the water. Skills are introduced at the child’s development level and build on each other as the child progresses. Basic water skills are taught through fun songs and games. YMCA National class levels in this combination class are Shrimp (6-8 months), Kipper (9-12 months), Inia (13-18 months) and Perch (19-36 months). Classes are 30 minutes in length.
Preschool (3-5 years)
Children must turn 3 by the start of
the session.
Beginner Classes:
Pike: Children adjust to the water and develop independent movement. Teaches basic stroke and kicking skills, floating, and pool safety.
Eel: For children who are comfortable in the water and able to swim five feet with faces in the water and no flotation device. Children are taught to float, kick, and perform progressive arm movements across the pool.
Advanced Classes:
Ray: For children who can swim 15 feet with faces in the water and no flotation device. Reviews and improves stroke skills on front, back and side, builds endurance, and teaches treading water skills.
Starfish: For children who can swim 20 feet without flotation device on front, back and side. This advanced level refines strokes.
Youth (6 years and up)
Child must turn 6 by the start of
the session.
Beginner Classes:
Polliwog - Swim placement required if you have not taken YMCA swim lessons in the last year. Beginner level for those uncomfortable or inexperienced in the water. Teaches basic water skills including gliding with face in water, floating and kicking.
Guppy - Swim placement required if you have not taken YMCA swim lessons in the last year. For children able to swim 20 feet without a flotation device. Teaches swimming on front, back and side and breathing while swimming.
Intermediate Classes:
Minnow - Swim placement required if you have not taken YMCA swim lessons in the last year. For children able to swim 25 yards on front and back with or without a flotation device. Teaches front crawl with rotary breathing, backstroke, sidestroke, beginning breaststroke.
Fish - Swim placement required if you have not taken YMCA swim lessons in the last year. For children able to swim 25 yards of front crawl with rotary breathing, back crawl, sidestroke and rudimentary breaststroke. Refines breast stroke, teaches butterfly, open turns and improves other strokes.
Advanced Classes:
Flying Fish - Swim placement required if you have not taken YMCA swim lessons in the last year. For children able to swim 50 yards front crawl, back crawl, breast stroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and 15 yards butterfly; teaches water rescues, snorkeling and endurance.
Swim Team - There is a reason that the YMCA is referred to as “America’s Favorite Swim Instructor”. Swim Team offers meaningful experiences for swimmers of all levels with an emphasis on helping kids exemplify the YMCA core values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Caring and Faith.
Our “Everyone Swims, Everyone Wins” approach makes the team experience enjoyable for all swimming levels. Each practice and meet is an opportunity for swimmers to set and reach new goals and enjoy a positive team environment.
Spring Swim Team
EA Smith YMCA,
March 13, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Perry YMCA,
March 14, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Practice Information:
EA Smith: Mon & Thur 5:30pm-7:00pm
Perry: Tuesday & Friday, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Ages: 4-14 years
Season: March 24-May 17
Meet Schedule:
(all meets begin at 7:00am)
April 5 at EA Smith YMCA
April 19 at Vic Coppinger YMCA
May 3 at Northwest YMCA
May 17 at Langham Creek YMCA
Facility Member: $65
Program Member: $115
All new members must try out prior to registering. Participants must be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool (50 yards) unassisted and without stopping.
Summer Swim Team
EA Smith YMCA,
May 29 5:30pm-7:00pm
Perry YMCA, May 30, 5:30pm-7:00pm
EA Smith Practice Information:
June 2-June 6, Tuesday & Thursday 5:30pm-7:00pm
June 9-July 26, Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30am-8:00am
Perry Practice Information:
June 2-6, Mon & Wed 5:30-7:00pm
June 9-July26, Mon & Wed 6:30-8:00am
Ages: 4-14 years
Season Dates: June 2-July 26
Meet Schedule:
(all meets begin at 7:00am)
June 7 at Trotter YMCA
June 21 at Fort Bend YMCA
July 12 at Weekley YMCA
July 26 at Trotter YMCA
Facility Member: $65
Program Member: $115
All new members must try out prior to registering. Participants must be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool (50 yards) unassisted and without stopping.
