Swim Lessons & Water Safety | YMCA of Greater Waukesha County
YMCA of Greater Waukesha County - Changing Lives for the Better
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YMCA of Greater Waukesha County

Association Offices

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive, Suite 100
New Berlin, WI 53151

Tri County YMCA

N84 W17501 Menomonee Avenue
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Mukwonago YMCA

245 E. Wolf Run
Mukwonago, WI 53149

Waukesha YMCA

320 E. Broadway
Waukesha, WI 53186

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive
New Berlin, WI 53151

West Suburban YMCA

2420 N. 124th Street
Wauwatosa, WI 53226

Southwest YMCA

11311 W. Howard Avenue
Greenfield, WI 53228

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Association Offices

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center


YGWC ASSOCIATION OFFICES

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive, Suite 100
New Berlin, WI  53151
262-330-5199

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tri County YMCA

Tri County YMCA


TRI COUNTY YMCA

N84 W17501 Menomonee Avenue
Menomonee Falls, WI  53051

 262-255-9622

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Mukwonago YMCA

Mukwonago YMCA


MUKWONAGO YMCA

245 E. Wolf Run
Mukwonago, WI  53149

262-363-7950

 

HOURS 

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Waukesha YMCA

Waukesha YMCA


WAUKESHA YMCA

320 E. Broadway
Waukesha, WI  53186

 262-542-2557

 

HOURS 

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center


NEW BERLIN YMCA WELLNESS CENTER

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive
New Berlin, WI  53151
262-330-5190

 

HOURS 

MON-FRI | 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
SAT & SUN | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

West Suburban YMCA

West Suburban YMCA


WEST SUBURBAN YMCA

2420 N. 124th Street
Wauwatosa, WI  53226

 414-302-9622

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Southwest YMCA

Southwest YMCA


SOUTHWEST YMCA

11311 W. Howard Avenue
Greenfield, WI  53228

414-546-9622

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

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Camp Double Eagle

W365 S8661 Highway 67
Eagle, WI 53119

Y Children's Academy

100 E. Broadway
Waukesha, WI 53186

Join the Y

Y MEMBERSHIP HAS VALUE

A YMCA membership gives you more than just a place to work out, it gives you a community! Schedule a tour at one of our locations and meet our staff.

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Child Care & Camps

 Kids with ball

YOUR CHILD AT THE Y

The Y has programs for children of all ages. From infant and toddler care at our Y Academy, to Preschool and 4K programs, to Before & After School care for elementary and middle school students, the Y can help your busy family find programs and care that's right for you.

 Sun

Summer Day Camps

For your child's best summer ever,
enroll them in camp at the YMCA!

Healthy Living at the Y

Swim Lessons at the Y

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Swim Lessons
YMCA OF GREATER WAUKESHA COUNTY

DIVE INTO FUN!

For over 100 years, the YMCA has been one of America's favorite swim instructors and a leader in water safety. Our proven curriculum and friendly environment enhance skills, all while having fun. At the Y, swimming is a life skill.  We offer a wide selection of parent & child, preschool, school age, teen, and adult swim lessons that build strong and confident swimmers.  All age groups are taught the same skills but divided according to their developmental milestones.

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View Swim Leagues

"During my son's first swim lesson, he was so scared of being in or near the water. After working with his instructor, my son became an entirely new kid! He asks to go swimming everyday and plays in the pool with his friends! We are making great family memories thanks to the swim lessons at the YMCA."

- Randolph Family

REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION

Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

 



 

Swim Starters

Accompanied by a parent*, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.

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  PARENT & CHILD SWIM STAGE A | Water Discovery (6 months - 3 years)

Stage A | Water DiscoveryIntroduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.  Water Discovery is for students who aren’t yet able to respond to verbal cues and jump on land.

With assistance, children will learn how to:

  • Blow bubbles on the surface of the water
  • Move and float with their chin in the water
  • Move and float with their head on your shoulder
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Grab the pool wall
  • Enter and exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR SWIM STARTERS AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  PARENT & CHILD SWIM STAGE B | Water Exploration (Ages 1-3 years)

Stage B | Water ExplorationStudents entering this level should be comfortable in the water, able to respond to verbal cues and jump on land.  Parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.  Water Explorations is for students who aren’t yet comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water.

With assistance, children will learn how to:

  • Blow bubbles with mouth and nose submerged in the water
  • Move and float while blowing bubbles in the water
  • Move and float with their head on your chest
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Monkey crawl
  • Enter and exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR SWIM STARTERS AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

* 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.


 

Swim Basics

Recommended Skills for All to Have Around Water

Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills:

  • Swim, float, swim -- sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide, and exit
  • Jump, push, turn, grab
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  PRESCHOOL SWIM STAGE 1 | Water Acclimation (Ages 3-5)

Stage 1 | Water AcclimationPreschoolers develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to perform basic self-rescue skills with assistance. Preschool Swim Stage 1 is for students who aren’t yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily.

In Water Acclimation, your child will:

  • Bob to submerge in the water
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet with help
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds with help
  • Roll from back to front and front to back with help
  • Jump, push, turn, grab with help
  • Swim, float, swim 10 feet with help
  • Exit the water

PRESCHOOL SWIM STAGE 1 with Parent

For the child not quite ready to swim without the parent.  Transition between parent and instructor throughout first half of session.  Focus is on learning to listen to an instructor, becoming comfortable in the water, and safely exploring movement in the water.

PRESCHOOL SWIM STAGE 1

Children entering this level should be comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water.  Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

 
REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  PRESCHOOL SWIM STAGE 2 | Water Movement (Ages 3-5)

Stage 2 | Water MovementPreschoolers entering this level should be able to go underwater voluntarily.  Students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while continuing to practice how to safely exit if they would fall into a body of water. Preschool Swim Stage 2 is for students who aren’t yet able to do a front and back float on their own. 

In Water Movement, your child will:

  • Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab
  • Swim, float, swim five yards
  • Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds
  • Exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  PRESCHOOL SWIM STAGE 3 | Water Stamina (Ages 3-5)

Stage 3 | Water StaminaPreschoolers entering this level should be able to front and back float independently.  Students learn to swim to safety from a longer distance.  They are introduced to rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action. Preschool Swim Stage 3 is for students who aren’t yet able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. 

In Water Stamina, your child will:

  • Retrieve an object in chest-deep water
  • Swim on their front and back for 10 yards
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards
  • Swim, float, swim 15 yards
  • Tread water for 30 seconds
  • Exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
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  SCHOOL AGE SWIM STAGE 1 | Water Acclimation (Ages 6-12)

Stage 1 | Water AcclimationStudents develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.  Children entering this level should be comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water.  School Age Swim Stage 1 is for students who aren’t yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily.

In Water Acclimation, your child will:

  • Bob to submerge in the water
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet with help
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds with help
  • Roll from back to front and front to back with help
  • Jump, push, turn, grab with help
  • Swim, float, swim 10 feet with help
  • Exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  SCHOOL AGE SWIM STAGE 2 | Water Movement (Ages 6-12)

Stage 2 | Water MovementChildren entering this level should be able to go underwater voluntarily.  Students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while continuing to practice how to safely exit if they would fall into a body of water. School Age Swim Stage 2 is for students who aren’t yet able to do a front and back float on their own. 

In Water Movement, your child will:

  • Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab
  • Swim, float, swim five yards
  • Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds
  • Exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  SCHOOL AGE SWIM STAGE 3 | Water Stamina (Ages 6-12)

Stage 3 | Water StaminaChildren entering this level should be able to front and back float independently.  Students learn to swim to safety from a longer distance.  They are introduced to rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action. School Age Swim Stage 3 is for students who aren’t yet able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. 

In Water Stamina, your child will:

  • Retrieve an object in chest-deep water
  • Swim on their front and back for 10 yards
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards
  • Swim, float, swim 15 yards
  • Tread water for 30 seconds
  • Exit the water
 
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

 

Swim Strokes

Skills to Support a Healthy Lifestyle

Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that prevent chronic disease, increase social-emotional and cognitive well-being, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

   PRESCHOOL SWIM STAGE 4 | Stroke Introduction (Ages 3-5)

Stage 4 | Stroke IntroductionPreschoolers entering School Age Swim Stage 4 should be able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back independently.  Students develop stroke technique in front and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.  Treading is also introduced. 

In Stroke Introduction, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards
  • Breaststroke kick for 15 yards
  • Butterfly kick for 15 yards
  • Elementary backstroke for 15 yards
  • Dive from a sitting position
  • Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards
 
REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
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  SCHOOL AGE SWIM STAGE 4 | Stroke Introduction (Ages 6-12)

Stage 4 | Stroke IntroductionChildren entering School Age Swim Stage 4 should be able to swim 15 yards on their front and back independently.  Students develop stroke technique in front and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.  Treading is also introduced. 

In Stroke Introduction, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards
  • Breaststroke kick for 15 yards
  • Butterfly kick for 15 yards
  • Elementary backstroke for 15 yards
  • Dive from a sitting position
  • Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards
 
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  SCHOOL AGE SWIM STAGE 5 | Stroke Development (Ages 6-12)

Stage 5 | Stroke DevelopmentChildren entering School Age Swim Stage 5 should be able to swim 15 yards of front and back crawl.  Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes.  Emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

In Stroke Development, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl with bent-arm recovery for 25 yards
  • Breaststroke for 25 yards
  • Butterfly with simultaneous arm action and kick for 15 yards
  • Back crawl for 25 yards
  • Sidestroke for 25 yards
  • Dive from a kneeling position
  • Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for two minutes
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 50 yards
 
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  SCHOOL AGE SWIM STAGE 6 | Stroke Mechanics (Ages 6-12)

Stage 6 | Stroke MechanicsChildren entering School Age Swim Stage 6 should be able to swim 25 yards of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle. 

In Stroke Mechanics, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl for 50 yards and do a flip turn
  • Breaststroke for 50 yards and do an open turn
  • Butterfly for 25 yards
  • Back crawl for 25 yards and do a flip turn
  • Sidestroke or elementary backstroke for 50 yards
  • Dive from a standing position
  • Tread water for one minute and retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 150 yards
 
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE SWIM AT YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

 

Teen & Adult Swim Lessons

The YMCA Swim Lesson Curriculum is a core group of aquatic skills every person needs to be safe around water. As the foundation of our program, these skills allow students to learn correct swim stroke techniques. Students begin with and build upon skills they are ready to learn, helping them to celebrate their successes, build self-confidence, and enjoy learning to swim and water safety.

View Upcoming Classes

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  Teen Swim Lessons (Ages 11-15)

Group swim lessons provide a comfortable environment for teens to learn to swim by encouraging them to set personal goals and achieve them.  A certified instructor will work with each participant's current skill level and help them improve.  All skill levels are welcome.

 
REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  Lifeguard Readiness Program (Ages 13 -18)

Participants will build a foundation of knowledge and develop the attitude and skills to become a future lifeguard through teamwork, communication, responsibility, and decision-making. Completion of the program will help ensure success in the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course but does not certify the participant in first aid, CPR/AED, or professional rescuing.

Must meet course prerequisites to be accepted into the program: Swim a continuous 50 yards/meters front crawl with rotary breathing, a continuous 25 yards/meters backstroke, and tread water continuously for 60 seconds. 

  Teen & Adult Beginner Swim Lessons (Ages 16 & up)

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. 

 
REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  Teen & Adult Intermediate Swim Lessons (Ages 16 & up)

Participants must be able to swim on front and back at least one full length of the pool without hesitation or fear.  Class provides a comfortable environment for adults to improve their swimming skills. Participants work on individual goals at their own pace with an instructor. 

 
REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

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  Adult Beginner Swim Lessons (Ages 16 & up)

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. 

 
REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban
  Adult Intermediate Swim Lessons (Ages 16 & up)

Participants must be able to swim on front and back at least one full length of the pool without hesitation or fear.  Class provides a comfortable environment for adults to improve their swimming skills. Participants work on individual goals at their own pace with an instructor. 

 
REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION
 
Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

 


 

REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION

Mukwonago Southwest Tri County Waukesha West Suburban

 

PRIVATE & SEMI-PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

No matter your goal, we’re here to help! Whether you’re a beginner wanting to gain confidence or an experienced swimmer trying to hone your skills, private lessons are the perfect solution. Personalized attention from our skilled swim instructors will give you or your child the opportunity to focus on what you want to learn.

INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING 

Reach milestones at your own pace with lessons tailored to your skill level.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING 

Arrange lessons for a time and frequency that works best for you. 

MEASURABLE SUCCESS 

Overcome obstacles that have kept you from building your swim skills.

Private (1-on-1) and semi-private (two students, one instructor) lessons are 30 minutes. If you're interested in signing up, please complete an interest form.

Learn More

For a better us.®

The YMCA of Greater Waukesha County is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Our tax ID number is 45-5119441.

 

© 2016 YMCA of Greater Waukesha County - all rights reserved.

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