For more than 125 years, the YMCA has been a leader in aquatics and water safety.  The first YMCA swimming pool was build in 1885, and the first YMCA lifesaving corps began in 1904, so aquatics has been a part of the "Y" from early in its history.

Give your children a gift that will last a lifetime...

Youth Aquatics Classes Beginning June 7th

Click Here for Class Schedules

Preschool Lessons

Ages: 3 - 5 years    
These four levels focus on progression, taking the child from water adjustment to advanced swimming skills with an emphasis on water safety.

Pike (Non-swimmer)
Water adjustment is the main focus of this level. Non-swimmers will learn to float, kick and breathe in an aquatic setting. By the end of this level, they should be able to put their face in the water, blowing bubbles and know the basic arm movement of freestyle.
Eel (Beginner)
More freestyle skills are taught along with unaided floating. Backstroke is introduced along with safety skills and rhythmic breathing.
Ray (Intermediate/ Advanced)
Review freestyle skills, improve stroke skills, learn more personal safety and rescue skills, build endurance by swimming on their front and back, and learn to tread water. Breaststroke kick is also introduced.
Starfish (Advanced)
This is a transition class from preschool lessons to youth progressive lessons. Class is held in both the lap pool and the therapy pool. Endurance is a focus as well as perfecting rotary breathing for freestyle.

Youth Lessons

Youth Progressive Swim Lessons
Ages 6-14 years        

Polliwog (Non-swimmer's and Beginners)
This is the beginning level for school-age children. It gets children acquainted with the pool, the use of flotation devices, and front and back floating. By the end of this level, they should know freestyle, backstroke, put be able their face in the water, and swim 15-20 feet without assistance.
Guppy (Beginner)
The children continue to practice and build upon basic skills, now performing more skills on their own. They improve on freestyle and backstroke and are introduced to elementary backstroke. More popular water games are taught, as well as some breathing skills.
Minnow (Intermediate)
The children further refine the lead-up strokes they have learned as their skills become more streamlined and smooth. Breaststroke is also introduced. They learn still more breathing skills and personal safety.
Fish (Advanced)
Swimmers work to perfect freestyle, elementary backstroke, backstroke and sidestroke. They are introduced to the butterfly and flip turns. Increasing endurance is a major focus as well.
Flying Fish (Advanced)
At this level, students will continue to improve stroke technique and will be introduced to all the competitive swim strokes and concepts. Throughout all levels, students are taught aquatic safety and rescue skills. Upon completing of this class, participants may join the YMCA swim team.

 How to Register:

 Register in person at the Central Branch YMCA located at 2405 Paul W. Bryant Drive in Tuscaloosa

Click Here for the Summer 2010 Pool Schedules