Aquatics & Swim Lessons

Find Early Childhood Aquatics / Swim Lessons

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 swim 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

Private Swim Lessons

Private swim lessons allow for accelerated learning

Swim lessons offer individualized attention for each student. Participants will receive eight thirty-minute lessons customized by skill level and goals.

Request for Private Swim Lessons

Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Semi-Private swim lessons are great for siblings, family members, and friends

These lessons allow two or more participants of similar skill level and age to learn together. Participants will receive eight thirty minute lessons with flexible scheduling that can be customized to your goals and needs.

Request for Private Swim Lessons

School’s Out Swim Lessons

The School’s Out swim lesson program

This is a great way to introduce your child to YMCA swim lessons or reinforce the skills they learned in our traditional programs.

Swim Lessons Express

Fast-track Swim Lessons

These lessons will provide a “final-push” for students as their session comes to a close.

WAVES: Adapted Lessons

Water Access for Very Exceptional Swimmers (Ages 3+).

WAVES is a 40 minute class designed to benefit people with special needs.

This program encourages participants to use their physical attributes to the best of their abilities, while enhancing their spirits and minds with positive reinforcement. (Parents may be encouraged to swim with younger participants.)

Aquatics & Swim Lessons

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.

Before & After School Programs

Exploration and knowledge building are at the core of the Y’s Before & After School programming. We believe in creating a solid foundation for children who need support in order to succeed in school.

Early Learning

Work out worry-free knowing the YMCA—the largest provider of child care in the country—is providing a safe, fun environment for your children.

Family Special Activities

Every day is an opportunity to create lasting memories with your family. Get fit together with some family fitness, relax and have fun while taking a family swim at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis!

Sports Programs

With the vast number of sports offered, we want to create an environment that focuses on a healthy lifestyle, confidence building, developing new skills, and teamwork.

Specialty Programs

Healthy development starts early for children, and that’s why at the YMCA, we care for the health and well being of your child.
Programs & Activities