Group Swim Lessons
Swim Lessons for All Abilities!
Swimming can be relaxing or competitive, solitary or group-oriented — but it should always be enjoyable and safe! YWCA Minneapolis provides support and lessons for every swimmer, regardless of age or ability. Whether you’re a beginner or you’re hoping to improve your own stroke technique, we have the perfect course to fit you or your family’s needs.
Group swim lessons offer an excellent opportunity for infants, toddlers, youth and adults alike to develop their skills, learn water safety and gain confidence in a supportive environment. YWCA Minneapolis boasts a wide range of swimming courses year round, covering all ages and abilities.
In our selection of courses, you’ll find classes for children and adults who are just beginning to swim, as well as more advanced options for swimmers looking to refine their technique. Our courses are appropriately separated by age, and some advanced classes require participants to be comfortable with certain swimming milestones before enrolling.
Upcoming Group Swim Session Dates
Winter 2025
Jan. 4-Feb. 20
Online registration for members starts Monday, Dec. 16
Open registration starts Wednesday, Dec. 18, 8am
Early Spring 2025
February 22 - April 10
Online registration for members starts Monday, Feb. 10
Open registration starts Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8am
Spring 2025
April 12-June 8
Online registration for members starts Monday, March 31
Open registration starts Wednesday, April 2, at 8am
Please note: No classes April 19-20 and May 24-25
How to Register
Register via phone: YWCA Midtown (612-215-4333)
Register Online – need help with online registration? Read directions on how to sign into your account.
Register (Members only) on the “MY YWCA” app (Download on App Store or Google Play Store™ )
Questions? For YWCA Midtown, contact swimlessons@ywcampls.org or 612-215-4342.
Swim Class Descriptions and Level Placement
Explore below for our full list of group swim classes.
NOTE: Classes may be combined with similar-level classes. Participants will still be taught at an appropriate skill level based on their ability and readiness.
Talk with the Water Safety/Swim Instructor, Aqua Lead or Aquatics Manager before moving to the next class level
Swim Class Descriptions ↘
Toddler
Toddler with Adult (6 - 36 months)
Discover and explore water with a parent, learn about water safety, drowning prevention and the importance of supervision. Toddler must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
Registration Tip: Children age 3 who are potty trained may register for Preschool 1 to be in class without a parent/adult.
Preschool
Preschool Level 1 (3 - 5 years)
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Acclimate to the water by gaining comfort in underwater exploration and floating with support. This class is for kids who aren’t yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily.
Prerequisites:
Child must be comfortable in water, without parent and toilet-trained
Skills performed with support:
Enter and exit independently
Travel through water, 5 yards
Submerge and blow bubbles, 3 seconds
Front glide, roll to back float
Preschool Level 2 (3 - 5 years)
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Build on the skills learned in Preschool level 1, with less support.
Prerequisites:
Submerge and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds.
Glide on front 2 body lengths, roll to back and float for 3 seconds.
Skills performed with support:
Submerge and retrieve an object underwater
Float and glide on front and back -Roll over front to back, back to front
Tread water arm and leg actions
Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
Preschool Level 3 (3 - 5 years)
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Build on the skills learned in Preschool level 2, without assistance.
Prerequisites:
Swim on front using combined arm and leg action for at least 3 body lengths, roll to back and float for 15 seconds, roll to front and continue swimming for 3 body lengths.
Skills performed with support:
Jump into chest deep water
Float on front, at least 10 seconds
Change direction while swimming
Float on front, roll to back and float for 30 seconds
Swim on front and back, at least 5 body lengths each
School Age Track
School-Age Beginner Levels 1 and 2 (6 - 12 years)
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Acclimate to the water by gaining comfort in underwater exploration, float and swim.
Skills performed include:
Submerge and blow bubbles, 10 seconds
Float and glide on front and back
Roll over front to back, back to front
Swim on front and back, at least 5 body lengths each
Change direction while swimming
Level 3: Stroke Development (6 - 12 years)
Build knowledge of safety, in and around the water. Achieve basic swim competence, by learning front crawl and elementary backstroke.
Prerequisites:
Swim on front at least 5 body lengths, roll to back and float 30 seconds, roll to front and continue swimming 5 body lengths.
Swim on back 5 body lengths.
Skills performed include:
Jump into deep water
Bobbing to safety
Tread water, 1 minute
Front crawl and elementary backstroke, 15 yards each
Level 4: Stroke Development (6 - 12 years)
Expand knowledge of safety, in and around the water. Improve fundamental skills while introducing advanced strokes and water safety skills.
Prerequisites:
Jump into deep water, tread or float for 1 minute, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke 25 yards, exit the water.
Glide on front, swim front crawl 15 yards, change position or direction as necessary and swim elementary backstroke 15 yards.
Skills performed include:
Survival swimming
Tread water, 2 minutes
Swim underwater, 3-5 body lengths without hyperventilating
Front crawl and elementary backstroke, 25 yards each
Breaststroke, butterfly, back crawl, sidestroke, 15 yards each
Level 5/6: Stroke Proficiency (6 - 14 years)
Focuses on stroke technique, builds endurance and additional water safety skills. Work towards swim competence and mastery.
Prerequisites:
Jump into deep water, swim front crawl 25 yards, change position or direction as necessary and swim elementary backstroke 25 yards.
Swim breaststroke 15 yards, change position or direction as necessary and swim back crawl 15 yards.
Swim underwater 3-5 body lengths without hyperventilating.
Skills performed include:
Tread water, 5 minutes
Front crawl and elementary backstroke, at least 50 yards each
Breaststroke, butterfly, back crawl, sidestroke, at least 25 yards each
Flip turns on front and back
Cooper 12-minute swim test
Adult 1
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Acclimate to the water by gaining comfort in underwater exploration and floating.
Prerequisites:
None
In this class, you will:
Increase comfort by submerging and blowing bubbles
Float on front and back
Introduce to moving through water on front and back
Adult and Teen Track
Adult 2
Build knowledge of safety, in and around the water. Achieve basic swim competence, by learning front crawl and elementary backstroke.
Prerequisites:
Float on back 15 seconds, roll to front and swim on front 15 yards.
In this class, you will:
Introduce swimming on front and back
Explore deeper water
Adult 3
Expand knowledge of safety, in and around the water. Improve fundamental skills while introducing advanced strokes and water safety skills.
Prerequisites:
Jump into deep water, tread water 1 minute, and swim front crawl 25 yards.
Swim on back 15 yards.
In this class, you will:
Increase swimming distance on front and back
Refine stroke technique on front, back and side
Additional Courses
Swim Skill Boost
Conquer the pool and master your swimming skills. Take advantage of one-on-one direction with a swim instructor in a 25-minute class. This option is available in one to eight sessions.
Skills focus ranges from beginner to Level 5.
This course is not intended for endurance sports (tri), water fitness or other water specialties.
Please contact the Aquatics office if there are special needs before registering for a boost class.
