Swimming Lessons Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons

Our Impact

As “America’s swim instructor,” the YMCA teaches children of all ages from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to be safe around water. We provide equal opportunity for all, ensuring everyone has the tools they need to be confident in and around water.

Not sure what lesson you should register your child for? try our swim lesson finder!
 
Swim lessons provide important life skills that could save a life and will benefit students for a lifetime. To build a better us, the Y teaches youth, teens, and adults to swim, enabling you to stay safe around water and learn the skills needed to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy. Y swim instructors are nationally certified. Their training includes CPR, AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration.
 
Register For Swim Lessons

 
SESSION DATES:

 
Early Fall: September 9 – October 27, 2024 (7 weeks)
Late Fall: October 28 – December 22, 2024 (7 weeks)

Find the right Swim Lessons with these three steps

Step 1: Which age group does the student fall into?

6 Months - 3 Years
Parent* & Child:
Stages A-B

3 Years - 5 Years
Preschool:
Stages 1-4

5 Years - 12 Years
Youth:
Stages 1-6

12+ Years
Teen & Adult:
Stages 1-6

Step 2: SELECT A PRIMARY BRANCH LOCATION

Age Group: "Adult"

Step 3: Which stage is the student ready for?

Age Group: "Adult"
Primary Location: "Adult"

Can the student respond to verbal cues and jump on land?

A / Water Discovery

Parents accompany children in stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.

Is the student comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water?

B / Water Exploration

In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

Will the student go underwater voluntarily?

1 / Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

Can the student do a front and back float on his or her own?

2 / Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

Can the student swim 10–15 yards on his or her front and back?

3 / Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Can the student swim 15 yards of front and back crawl?

4 / Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool?

5 / Stroke Development

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back?

6 / Stroke Mechanics

In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Book

 

* At the Y, we know families take a variety of forms. As a result, we define parent broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for raising children, including biological parents, adoptive parents, guardians, stepparents, grandparents, or any other type of parenting relationship.

YMCA Pool Schedules

Dive into our pool schedules to find the perfect time for your aquatic adventures. Whether you’re seeking a serene morning swim or a lively afternoon dip, we’ve got you covered.

Learn More
 

Swim Teams at the YMCA

If you enjoy swimming and would like to practice your moves and keep progressing, consider joining one of our swim teams!

Learn More


 

Swimming Grant Recipient
The YMCA of Greater Boston is proud to partner with the USA Swimming Foundation to increase programming to underserved communities, support diverse coaches and create additional competitive swimming opportunities in the U.S.
usa swimming grant recipient 2024

GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

Group Exercise

Explore all the fitness classes and reserve a space by logging into Motionvibe. Get your blood pumping with classes like HIIT and Zumba or tap into your mindfulness with yoga, Barre or Pilates.

WATER FITNESS

Water Fitness classes are an excellent choice to give your heart and muscles a great workout. The Y offers a range of Water Fitness classes, find the perfect one for you by logging into Motionvibe!

Programs
Locations
Adult Beginner
5-10 weeks

Swimmers focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Adult Intermediate
5-10 weeks

Swimmers learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance. Rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action are introduced.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Basketball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of basketball including ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Oak Square
Thomas M. Menino
Wang
Gymnastics
5-10 weeks

Learn basic gymnastics skills like forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Flexibility and proper stretching techniques will be taught.

Oak Square
Parent/Child Stage A and B: Water Discovery and Exploration
5-10 weeks

In Stage A, the parent/guardian is introduced to working with their infant or toddler in the aquatic environment. In Stage B, the parent/guardian works with their child to learn the fundamentals of safety and swimming skills.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and is also fun, social, and friendly.

Parkway Community
Preschool Basketball
5-10 weeks

This class helps children develop fundamental skills and incorporates teamwork through instructional play.

Dorchester
North Suburban
Waltham
Preschool Soccer
5-10 weeks

This class will teach the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will focus on improving the players’ ball control skills, learning game rules and teamwork, and then playing a game.

North Suburban
Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child works to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Soccer Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of soccer including ball control skill, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
East Boston
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Waltham
Sports Sampler
5-10 weeks

Introduces youth to sports at the Y while fostering the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and good sportsmanship. This engaging program focuses on the skills and drills essential to learning the fundamentals of a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/t-ball, floor hockey, and soccer while having fun.

Burbank
Charlestown
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Waltham
Wang
T-Ball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of T-Ball including fielding, throwing, swing form and hitting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Parkway Community
Tumbling Tots
5-10 weeks

Develop climbing, balance, and agility and coordination class in this physical play class.

Oak Square
Youth Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Youth Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child work to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 5: Stroke Development
5-10 weeks

In Stage 5, students work on integrating arm and leg actions for the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and refine swim stroke skills and techniques for all other swim strokes.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
5-10 weeks

In Stage 6, students work on refining swim stroke technique for all major competitive strokes and building stamina to perform each stroke for greater distances. Students are introduced to the concept of, competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang

GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

Group Exercise

Explore all the fitness classes and reserve a space by logging into Motionvibe. Get your blood pumping with classes like HIIT and Zumba or tap into your mindfulness with yoga, Barre or Pilates.

WATER FITNESS

Water Fitness classes are an excellent choice to give your heart and muscles a great workout. The Y offers a range of Water Fitness classes, find the perfect one for you by logging into Motionvibe!

Programs
Locations
Adult Beginner
5-10 weeks

Swimmers focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Adult Intermediate
5-10 weeks

Swimmers learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance. Rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action are introduced.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Basketball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of basketball including ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Oak Square
Thomas M. Menino
Wang
Gymnastics
5-10 weeks

Learn basic gymnastics skills like forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Flexibility and proper stretching techniques will be taught.

Oak Square
Parent/Child Stage A and B: Water Discovery and Exploration
5-10 weeks

In Stage A, the parent/guardian is introduced to working with their infant or toddler in the aquatic environment. In Stage B, the parent/guardian works with their child to learn the fundamentals of safety and swimming skills.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and is also fun, social, and friendly.

Parkway Community
Preschool Basketball
5-10 weeks

This class helps children develop fundamental skills and incorporates teamwork through instructional play.

Dorchester
North Suburban
Waltham
Preschool Soccer
5-10 weeks

This class will teach the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will focus on improving the players’ ball control skills, learning game rules and teamwork, and then playing a game.

North Suburban
Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child works to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Soccer Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of soccer including ball control skill, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
East Boston
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Waltham
Sports Sampler
5-10 weeks

Introduces youth to sports at the Y while fostering the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and good sportsmanship. This engaging program focuses on the skills and drills essential to learning the fundamentals of a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/t-ball, floor hockey, and soccer while having fun.

Burbank
Charlestown
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Waltham
Wang
T-Ball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of T-Ball including fielding, throwing, swing form and hitting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Parkway Community
Tumbling Tots
5-10 weeks

Develop climbing, balance, and agility and coordination class in this physical play class.

Oak Square
Youth Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Youth Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child work to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 5: Stroke Development
5-10 weeks

In Stage 5, students work on integrating arm and leg actions for the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and refine swim stroke skills and techniques for all other swim strokes.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
5-10 weeks

In Stage 6, students work on refining swim stroke technique for all major competitive strokes and building stamina to perform each stroke for greater distances. Students are introduced to the concept of, competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang