At the YMCA, our goal is to create a healthy respect for water to keep everyone safe and create a lifelong love of water activities. The basis of Y swim lessons is water safety skills. Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency as they progress from one swim level to the next. As swimmers progress, they are taught the recommended skills that everyone should have around water, including safe water habits, underwater exploration and how to swim to safety and exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Pool activities, games, and drills geared to reinforce learning are used as students progress between levels.

All of our YMCA swim instructors are Red Cross trained and certified. They are also trained and certified in Child Abuse Prevention, and receive training in Social-Emotional and Mental Health Awareness. All swimmers receive a swim assessment when they enter the pool to determine their skill level. Non-swimmers will be required to wear a life vest provided by the YMCA. All swimmers must wear a swim cap, available at the front desk for purchase.

Each swim lesson session has a set of four 50 minute lessons. At the end of the third lesson, swim instructors provide each participant with a report card showing which skills have been mastered and which skills need improvement. Once all skills in the level have been mastered, a swimmer is promoted to the next level. The skills taught in each level are listed below.

All participants must wear a swimsuit and swim cap and shower prior to class. Rash guards are also acceptable to wear over the top of the suit. No t-shirts or street shorts allowed. Microfiber is acceptable. Please bring a towel. Goggles are optional and are available at the Y for purchase. All children who are not potty trained must wear swimmer diapers and are available at the Y for purchase. Regular diapers inflate and can break apart in the pool.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC), the YMCA of West San Gabriel is offering free swim lessons to hearing impaired children from 2.5 years of age to 13 years old. Click on the LEARN MORE button to view the flyer with more details.