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Swim Lesson Selector

What's Your Swim Stage?

We’re saying goodbye to the fish names for classes and hello to an upgraded Y Swim Lesson curriculum. Our new class names more closely align with the skills built in each stage. If you’re new to Y Swim Lessons or unsure which stage is best for you or your child, below are two options that can help: the Swim Lesson Selector Card provides a quick overview to help you understand the new program and the interactive Stage Selector Tool below guides you through an easy assessment to help you quickly determine what swim class to take and when you need to schedule a free swim evaluation. If you are unsure, it is important that you contact the aquatics director at your branch to ensure the best swim stage placement.

Which stage

Swim Lesson Selector Tool

Please follow questions from top to bottom:

Can the student respond to verbal cues and jump on land?

If you answered NOT YET to this question, your child is in:

Stage A: Water Discovery

Water Discovery: Infant (6 months to 36 months | formerly Parent/Child)

Parent/Child class in which infants are encouraged to enjoy themselves while learning about the water. Participants have not taken Parent/Child previously. No Prerequisite.

Find an Infant & Toddler Swim Class: CLICK HERE

If you answered YES, proceed to the next question below.

Is the student comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water?

If you answered NOT YET to this question and yes to the one above, your child is in:

Stage B: Water Exploration

Water Exploration: Toddler (18 months to 36 months | formerly Parent/Child)

Parent/Child class in which toddlers explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles and fundamental water safety skills. Child should be comfortable entering and exiting pool with parent, as well as respond to verbal cues. Participants have taken Parent/Child class previously.

Find an Infant & Toddler Swim Class: CLICK HERE

Stage 1 with Parent: Water Acclimation

(Ages 2.5-5 years old)

For the child not quite ready to swim without the parent. Transition between parent and instructor throughout the session. Focus on learning to listen to an instructor, becoming comfortable in the water, and safely exploring movement in the water. Parent or an adult required in water with the child.

Find a Stage 1 with Parent:Water Acclimation Class: CLICK HERE

If you answered YES, proceed to the next question below.

Will the student go underwater voluntarily?

If you answered NOT YET to this question and yes to those above, your child is in:

Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Stage 1: Water Acclimation (3 to 5 years | formerly Pike / Pike Plus)

Children develop comfort with water and are ready to explore the aquatic environment while developing basic skills and understanding of safety around water with instructor help. No prerequisite.

Find a Preschool Swim Class (Ages 3 to 5 years): CLICK HERE

Stage 1: Water Acclimation (5 to 12 years, no formal swim lessons)
Children develop comfort with water and are ready to explore the aquatic environment while developing basic skills and understanding of safety around water with instructor help. No prerequisite.

Find a School Age Swim Class (Ages 5 to 12 years): CLICK HERE

If you answered YES, proceed to the next question below.

Can the student do a front and back float on his or her own?

If you answered NOT YET to this question and yes to those above, your child is in:

Stage 2: Water Movement

Stage 2: Water Movement (3 to 5 years | formerly Eel)

Children focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water. Child should be comfortably able to go underwater, to front and back float, and to swim unassisted for 5 yards.

Find a Preschool Swim Class (Ages 3 to 5 years): CLICK HERE

Stage 2: Water Movement (5 to 12 years, formerly Polliwog)

Find a School Age Swim Class (Ages 5 to 12 years): CLICK HERE

If you answered YES, proceed to the next question below.

Can the student swim 10-15 yards (preschool) | 25 yards (school age) on his/her front and back?

If you answered NOT YET to this question and yes to those above, your child is in:

Stage 3: Water Stamina

Stage 3: Water Stamina (3 to 5 years | formerly Ray)

Children are introduced to rotary breathing, swimming on back, with integrated arm and leg action. Children will practice swimming to safety from a longer distance. Child should be able to float unassisted, to glide off then return to the wall, and to swim on front for 10-15 yards.

Find a Preschool Swim Class (Ages 3 to 5 years): CLICK HERE

Stage 3: Water Stamina (5 to 12 years | formerly Guppy)

Find a School Age Swim Class (Ages 5 to 12 years): CLICK HERE

If you answered YES, please contact the aquatics director for a complimentary swim evaluation. It's our goal to help you and your child build confidence with every stroke and ensuring the appropriate stage is an important part of the Y swim experience.

Is your child a more advanced swimmer?

If you answered YES to this question and yes to those above, please contact the aquatics director for a complimentary swim evaluation. It's our goal to help you and your child build confidence with every stroke and ensuring the appropriate stage is an important part of the Y swim experience.

Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Stage 4: Stroke Introduction (3 to 5 years | formerly Starfish)

Students develop stroke technique in front and back crawl and reinforce water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke. Child should be able to swim on their front and back for 25 yards unassisted and tread water for 15 seconds.

Find a Preschool Swim Class (Ages 3 to 5 years): CLICK HERE

Stage 4: Stroke Introduction (5 to 12 years | formerly Micro Minnow)

Students develop stroke technique in front and backstroke and reinforce water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke. Child should be able to swim on their front and back for 25 yards unassisted and tread water for 15 seconds.

Find a School Age Swim Class (Ages 5 to 12 years): CLICK HERE

Stage 5: Stroke Development

Stage 5: Stroke Development (5 to 12 years | formerly Minnow)

Students continue to work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke. Child should be able to swim front and back crawl for 50 yards (2 laps), have knowledge of breaststroke, and tread water for 90 seconds.

Find a School Age Swim Class (Ages 5 to 12 years): CLICK HERE

Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics

Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics (6 to 12 years | formerly Fish/Flying Fish)

Children refine technique on all major competitive strokes, being introduced to butterfly kick and butterfly arm. Child should be able to swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke for 100 yards, butterfly for 50 yards, and tread water for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Find a School Age Swim Class (Ages 6 to 12 years): CLICK HERE

Beginner Teen and Adult classes are available. CLICK HERE to search for classes.

Please contact the Aquatics Department at 973-822-9622 x2230 for information on available classes or to request an evaluation to assist with appropriate placement.

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