Build Confidence in the Water

Swimming at the YMCA helps individuals of all ages thrive - in and out of water. Each year, thousands of Western New York families trust the Y to teach their kids critical swim and water safety lessons. Children build confidence with swim lessons by learning how to set goals, learn water safety, and enjoy swimming as a form of exercise for years to come.

Swim lessons are held in a safe, inclusive, and inviting environment. YMCA swim instructors are nationally certified and trained in CPR, AED, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration. Below is information parents should know before their child begins swim lessons:

  • Stages A&B require a parent in the water with their child.
  • Parents must be present in the pool area while their child is participating in their lesson.
  • For branch specific questions about swim lessons please contact:

Ready to sign up? Click here to sign up for swim lessons. The YMCA is committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for individuals with diverse abilities. Learn more about our Adaptive Swim Lessons by clicking here.

 

Free Swim Lessons Available Through NY SWIMS

New York State Department of Health Logo

Thanks to funding provided through Governor Kathy Hochul's NY SWIMS Initiative and the New York State Department of Health, YMCA Buffalo Niagara is offering free swim lessons to help more children gain lifesaving water safety and swimming skills.

This initiative is designed to expand access to swim lessons for children who may otherwise face barriers to participation. Program availability and eligibility vary and are determined locally based on community needs and available capacity.

To learn more about lesson availability or determine if this opportunity is a good fit for your family, please contact our Vice President of Aquatics, Vincent Riddle.

 

FIND YOUR LEVEL

Use the interactive form below to find the swim lesson appropriate for your swimmer's age and skill level.

You're Ready for Parent/Child Swim Lessons!

A/ Water Discovery

Parents accompany children in stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.

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You're Ready for Parent/Child Swim Lessons!

B / Water Exploration

In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

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You're Ready for Preschool Swim Lessons!

1 / Water acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

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You're Ready for School Age Swim Lessons!

1 / Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

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You're Ready for Teen / Adult Swim Lessons!

1 / Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

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You're Ready for Preschool Swim Lessons!

2 / Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

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You're Ready for School Age Swim Lessons!

2 / Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

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You're Ready for Teen/Adult Swim Lessons!

2 / Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

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You're Ready for Preschool Swim Lessons!

3 / Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

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You're Ready for School Age Swim Lessons!

3 / Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

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You're Ready for Teen/Adult Swim Lessons!

3 / Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

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You're Ready for Preschool Swim Lessons!

4 / Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke

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You're Ready for Preschool Swim Lessons!

4 / Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke

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You're Ready for School Age Swim Lessons!

4 / Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke

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You're Ready for Teen/Adult Swim Lessons!

4 / Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke

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You're Ready for School Age Swim Lessons!

5 / Stroke Development

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

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You're Ready for Teen/Adult Swim Lessons!

5 / Stroke Development

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

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You're Ready for School Age Swim Lessons!

6 / Stroke Mechanics

In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

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You're Ready for Teen/Adult Swim Lessons!

6 / Stroke Mechanics

In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

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Wow, What a Swimmer!

Based on your answers, your swimmer has already mastered the skills taught in our most advanced group swim lessons class. We encourage you to contact the Aquatics Director at your local Y to ask about additional swimming instruction opportunities that may be available to you.

Are you 15 years old or older or interested in learning more about lifeguarding? Call your local Y to see when our next Lifeguard Certification Course will be held.

Wow, What a Swimmer!

Based on your answers, your swimmer has already mastered the skills taught in our most advanced group swim lessons class. We encourage you to contact the Aquatics Director at your local Y to ask about additional swimming instruction opportunities that may be available to you.

Are you 15 years old or older or interested in learning more about lifeguarding? Call your local Y to see when our next Lifeguard Certification Course will be held.