Aquatics / Swim Lessons

Find Aquatics / Swim Lesson Programs & Activities

Swimming is a life skill. The YMCA has been teaching people of Central Indiana how to swim for over 150 years, especially children, helping them to be safe around water and prevent accidents.

Water fitness and swimming provide health benefits across the lifespan, from young to those young-at-heart. Participants safely enjoy aquatic classes at all levels, from beginner to expert. Our parent and child lessons help toddlers get comfortable in the water; while all preschool and youth swim lessons develop progressive skills, building upon a child’s confidence in and out of the pool. All Y swim lessons can be group or private, including instruction for teen and adults. As a result, we make it easy for everyone to learn this important life skill.

For a guide to understanding your child’s skill level, check skill level guide.

Swim Starters - Parent & Child

Stage A / Water Discovery

This program introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment

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.

Blow Bubbles – on surface, assisted
Front Tow – chin in water, assisted
Water Exit – parent & child together
Water Entry – parent & child together
Back Float – assisted, head on shoulder
Roll – assisted
Front Float – chin in water, assisted
Back Tow – assisted, head on shoulder
Wall Grab – assisted

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Stage B / Water Exploration

This program focuses on exploring body positions, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

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

Blow Bubbles – mouth & nose submerged, assisted
Front Tow – blow bubbles, assisted
Water Exit – assisted
Water Entry – assisted
Back Float – assisted, head on chest
Roll – assisted
Front Float – blow bubbles, assisted
Back Tow – assisted, head on chest
Monkey Crawl – assisted, on edge, 5 ft.

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Swim Basics - Preschool

Stage 1 / Water Acclimation

This program increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.

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.

Blow Bubbles – mouth & nose submerged, assisted
Front Tow – blow bubbles, assisted
Water Exit – assisted
Water Entry – assisted
Back Float – assisted, head on chest
Roll – assisted
Front Float – blow bubbles, assisted
Back Tow – assisted, head on chest
Monkey Crawl – assisted, 10 ft.

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Stage 2 / Water Movement

This swim program encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.

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.

Submerge – look at object on bottom
Front Glide – 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
Water Exit – independently
Jump, Push, Turn, Grab
Back Float – 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
Roll
Front Float – 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
Back Glide – 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
Tread Water – 10 secs., near wall, & exit
Swim, Float, Swim – 5 yd.

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Stage 3 / Water Stamina

This swim program develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages

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.

Submerge Retrieve – object in chest-deep water
Swim on Front – 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
Water Exit – independently
Jump, Swim, Turn, Swim, Grab – 10 yd.
Swim on Back – 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
Roll
Tread Water – 1 min. & exit (30 secs. preschool)
Swim, Float, Swim – 25 yd. (15 yd. preschool)

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Stage 4 / Stroke Introduction

This swim program introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl

Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke. 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.

Endurance – any stroke or combination of strokes, 25 yd.
Front Crawl – rotary breathing, 15 yd.
Back Crawl – 15 yd.
Dive – sitting
Resting Stroke – elementary backstroke, 15 yd.
Tread Water – scissor & whip kick, 1 min.
Breaststroke – kick, 15 yd.
Butterfly – kick, 15 yd.

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Swim Basics/Strokes - Youth/School Age

Stage 1 / Water Acclimation

This program increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.

Blow Bubbles – mouth & nose submerged, assisted
Front Tow – blow bubbles, assisted
Water Exit – assisted
Water Entry – assisted
Back Float – assisted, head on chest
Roll – assisted
Front Float – blow bubbles, assisted
Back Tow – assisted, head on chest
Monkey Crawl – assisted, 10 ft.

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Stage 2 / Water Movement

This swim program encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.

Submerge – look at object on bottom
Front Glide – 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
Water Exit – independently
Jump, Push, Turn, Grab
Back Float – 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
Roll
Front Float – 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
Back Glide – 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
Tread Water – 10 secs., near wall, & exit
Swim, Float, Swim – 5 yd.

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Stage 3 / Water Stamina

This swim program develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages

Submerge Retrieve – object in chest-deep water
Swim on Front – 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
Water Exit – independently
Jump, Swim, Turn, Swim, Grab – 10 yd.
Swim on Back – 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
Roll
Tread Water – 1 min. & exit (30 secs. preschool)
Swim, Float, Swim – 25 yd. (15 yd. preschool)

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Stage 4 / Stroke Introduction

This swim program introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl

Endurance – any stroke or combination of strokes, 25 yd.
Front Crawl – rotary breathing, 15 yd.
Back Crawl – 15 yd.
Dive – sitting
Resting Stroke – elementary backstroke, 15 yd.
Tread Water – scissor & whip kick, 1 min.
Breaststroke – kick, 15 yd.
Butterfly – kick, 15 yd.

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Stage 5 / Stroke Development

This swim program introduces breast-stroke and butterfly

Water safety is reinforced through treading water and sidestroke. 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.

Endurance – any stroke or combination of strokes, 50 yd.
Front Crawl – bent-arm recovery, 25 yd.
Back Crawl – pull, 25 yd.
Dive – kneeling
Resting Stroke – sidestroke, 25 yd.
Tread Water – scissor & whip kick, 2 mins.
Breaststroke – 25 yd.
Butterfly – simultaneous arm action & kick, 15 yd.

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Stage 6 / Stroke Mechanics

This program refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes

Encourages participants to include swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. 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.

Endurance – any stroke or combination of strokes, 150 yd.
Front Crawl – flip turn, 50 yd.
Back Crawl – pull & flip turn,50 yd.
Dive – standing
Resting Stroke – elementary backstroke or sidestroke, 50 yd.
Tread Water – retrieve object off bottom, tread 1 min.
Breaststroke – open turn, 50 yd.
Butterfly – 25 yd.

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Teen & Adult Swim

Teen & Adult Swim Lessons

Beginner: (Ages 13+)

Designed to help non-swimmers feel comfortable in the water

Swimmers progress at their own pace and learn the enjoyment of water activities. Each session meets once a week for 6 weeks.

Intermediate: (Ages 13+) Designed for swimmers who feel comfortable in the shallow and deep ends of the pool, but now need to develop their swimming stroke. This class is not intended for those only needing technical refinement. Each session meets once a week for 6 weeks. For advanced instruction ask about MultiFit Alpha.

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Water Fitness

Arthritis Aqua Therapy

This is the perfect class for those with flexibility and stiffness issues

Warmth and buoyancy of water can decrease pain and/or stiffness and improve joint flexibility. With a RPE rating (rate of perceived exertion) of 2-3, this class is perfect for participants with Arthritis or Fibromyalgia, or for those recovering from injury.

Phone: (317) 881-9347

Adult Water Fitness

Encourages people of all ages to utilize the buoyant qualities of water to enhance their physical fitness.

An ideal form of exercise for all ages and abilities, and the relaxation after a water workout is wonderful!

Phone: (317) 881-9347

Specialty Classes & Programs

Lifeguard Training

The YMCA offers certified Lifeguard Training for ages 16 and up.

The YMCA Lifeguard Training course is the most comprehensive program available, including certifications in CPR/AED, Basic Life Support, First Aid and Oxygen Administration.Training in equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention and decision-making skills prepare participants for employment.

Participants must be 16 years old before the start of class. Attendance, full participation, and successful completion of written tests and performance of all water skills are required.

Participants must be able to:

Tread water for at least 2 minutes
Swim 100 yards of front crawl
Swim 50 yards each of front crawl with head up, sidestroke, breaststroke, breaststroke with head up, inverted breaststroke kick with hands on stomach
Perform a feet-first surface dive in 8 to 10 feet of water and then swim underwater for 15 feet
Perform a series of tasks given by the instructor to demonstrate listening and scanning ability as well as stamina and endurance

Phone: (317) 881-9347

Day Camp Swim Lessons

Ages 3-12yrs

This Swim Lesson Enrichment Program consists of four classes.

Class series is offered in a one-week period. Registration occurs weekly. You can sign up for just 1 week or every week. Counselors will bring your camper to their swim lesson and return them to camp when lessons are over.