YMCA Swim Lessons

Parent & Child swim lessons introduce infants and toddlers to the water in a fun, supportive environment alongside a parent or caregiver. Designed for children ages 6 months to 3 years, these classes focus on water comfort, basic swim readiness skills, and essential aquatic safety. With hands-on guidance from instructors, families practice entering and exiting the water, floating, blowing bubbles, submerging, and simple arm and leg movements, while parents learn important water safety, life jacket use, and supervision skills. Swim diapers are required for all children.

Preschool Swim Lessons are designed for children ages 3–5 to build confidence and independence in the water through age-appropriate instruction with their peers. These classes emphasize water safety, survival skills, and foundational swimming techniques, starting with beginner skills and progressing toward independent swimming. Children learn safe water entry and exit, breath control, floating, gliding, arm and leg movements, treading water, and basic strokes, while reinforcing important safety concepts such as recognizing emergencies, lifeguards, and sun and life jacket safety. Classes are structured to support regular success and prepare swimmers for the next level as skills develop.

Learn to Swim | School Age lessons are designed for swimmers ages 6–13 and follow a structured, six-level progression that builds water safety, survival, and swimming skills in a positive, supportive environment. Starting with basic water comfort and safety, participants progress through floating, gliding, breath control, treading water, and coordinated arm and leg movements, while gradually developing independence and confidence. As swimmers advance, they learn proper stroke technique, rotary breathing, and endurance in deeper water, preparing them for strong, safe, lifelong swimming skills.

The Chippewa Falls YMCA offers convenient swim lesson opportunities for children enrolled in both our Early Learning Community and School-Age Child Care programs. A major benefit for families is that children attend swim lessons during their regular time in YMCA care—teachers and instructors safely escort them to and from the pool. These lessons provide a fun, supportive way for children to build water safety and swimming skills without any extra transportation for families.

Mini Swim Lesson Sessions are short, focused programs that meet three times per week for one week, making them a great option for building skills quickly or fitting lessons into a busy schedule. We offer both Preschool Mini Sessions for ages 3–5 and Learn to Swim Mini Sessions for ages 6–13, with instruction tailored to each age group’s abilities and goals—from water comfort and basic safety skills to stroke development and endurance. Explore the upcoming mini sessions below to find the right fit for your swimmer and register today.

Designed to help participants 16 years and older gain basic aquatic skills and swimming strokes to improve proficiency. Individuals choosing Beginner Swim Lessons may have a fear of the water, have very little to no swimming skills, and are ready to take the first step toward learning to swim. You will work toward your own personal goals while working on water adjustment, gaining confidence, floating, basic swimming skills, and basic personal safety skills.