Swimming Lessons
Making Swim Lessons Accessible for All
The Y is “America’s Swim Instructor” and the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming. The Y introduced the country to the concept of group swim lessons more than 100 years ago in 1909, and each year, the Y teaches more than a million children invaluable water safety and swimming skills. As one of the largest community-based organizations in the area, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte manages over 24 pools. Thanks to our size and reach, we’re in a unique position to help bridge the gap in the delivery of swim lessons and water safety education in the Charlotte area — especially in underserved communities.
A Critical Life Skill
We believe the ability to swim is a vital — and learnable — skill for every child, teen and adult. In our swim classes, we use a variety of methods to help overcome fears, build confidence in the water and develop skills that last a lifetime. Qualified instructors meet kids and adults at their own level, help families set achievable goals and celebrate all successes. We offer swim lessons for all ages, family swim, competitive swimming and diving teams, and many kinds of adaptive swim programs for kids with special needs, so we can all safely enjoy the pleasures of an aquatic environment.
A Progressive Approach
Our swim instruction curriculum is designed to help participants reach their goals and provide a clear progression track. Beginner lessons for parents and children introduce infants and toddlers to swimming and safety through fun exploration. Our basic lessons increase confidence in the water and lay the foundation that allows for future progress in swimming. Lessons focusing on strokes teach the correct techniques for all four strokes and help build skills to support an ongoing healthy lifestyle.
Safety and Certifications
The Y was the first organization to establish certification programs for lifesaving, swimming and aquatic instruction. It's a tradition we're proud to continue today. From community programs to lifeguard training to swim lessons, the YMCA teaches and promotes water safety one lap at a time. We offer free swim assessments to Y members under the age of 12 and issue corresponding colored bands that assist our certified lifeguards in keeping our more inexperienced swimmers safe.