Learning to swim gives a child a tremendous sense of accomplishment, builds their confidence level and empowers them to enjoy water activities safely. And nobody does swim lessons like the YMCA. In 2006, YMCAs celebrate the 100 year anniversary of group swim lessons. In 1906, George Corson at the YMCA in Detroit radically changed the way people learned to swim by teaching students strokes outside the pool first, and beginning instruction with the front crawl, typically the easiest stroke to master.

Aquatics are activities all ages can enjoy. Whether you are interested in swimming lessons , lap swim, water exercise or just fun! Our swimming lessons are taught by certified instructors.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

"When will my child learn to swim?"

Each child develops at their own pace. Some children may be able to kick their feet and float on their own with bubbles on the first day while others may need the help of an instructor for several weeks. Please accept these differences and refrain from comparing one child to the next.

"Why do you use floatation aids?"

There are many reasons including

• Floatation aids encourage self confidence and a positive attitude.
• The child learns to swim without becoming dependent on the instructor and becomes happily independent.
• Floatation aids make learning to swim more enjoyable because the timid child does not have to get his face wet immediately.
• Floatation aids allow extended period of time for the child to practice stroke mechanics without the need to support himself in the water. They help build endurance.
• The child learns to swim in a much shorter period of time and will grow to love the water.

Floatation aids are not safety devices. They are strictly teaching aids. The child must be closely supervised while swimming with a floatation aid.

POOL FACTS:

The Melrose YMCA's swimming pool is 25 yards long. 25 yards = 1 length. To help you calculate how far you swim:

One lap of the pool = 2 lengths (50 yards). A lap is a "round trip" down and back returning to your starting point.

18 lengths = 1/4 mile (9 laps)
36 lengths = 1/2 mile (18 laps)
72 lengths = 1 mile (36 laps)

All preschool classes are 30 minutes. The "bubbles" used in the program are an instructional flotation device, not a life preserver. Non-participants are asked to remain seated and not to distract the class or they may be asked to leave the pool area. Preschool Swim Lessons – Parent & Child (6-36 months) An adult must accompany the child in the water - one child per adult. Disposable diapers are not allowed in the pool. Cloth diapers or tight legged swimsuits with plastic/rubber liners are required. The instructor will help introduce basic swimming and water safety to your child. Parent & Infant (Formerly Shrimp-Kippers: 6-18 months) Water adjustment, coordination & fun! Parent & Toddler (Formerly Inia - Pike With Parent: 19 to 36 months) Toddlers are introduced to basic swimming skills through songs and games! Preschool Swim Lessons (3 years – kindergarten) This program is divided into three levels. Expect your child to spend more than one session at each level. The instructor will adjust the air level in your child's bubble as needed. Please have your child visit the bathroom and shower before class begins. Please consider the following definitions when registering your child for classes so that they will be placed in the appropriate class and be able to progress accordingly. On the first day, returning students will be placed in their correct level (the Y is keeping a data base) Preschool One: For preschoolers who are swimming for the first time or still use "three bubbles" or "two bubbles". YMCA levels: Pike and Eel. For younger children who are inexperienced in water but ready to take the plunge. It is the child's first experience in swim class without a parent. Children at this level may be fearful and unable to move through the water on their own. The main emphasis at this level is for the child to become comfortable in the water, adjust to a group situation, and learn to move independently using a bubble. They are also introduced to basic water safety. Child must be toilet trained. Preschool Two: For preschoolers who have taken lessons before or have some formal idea of strokes. These swimmers use only "one bubble" or no bubble. YMCA levels: Ray and Starfish. This is a more advanced level for the child who can swim without the aid of a bubble. The goals for this level are increased endurance and confidence. In addition, emphasis is placed on rotary breathing, diving, and treading water. Preschool: For all levels of preschoolers.

Youth Swim Lessons – (1st graders & up) School-Age Swim Lessons Registration for classes will be based on age. On the first day, returning students will be placed in their correct level (the Y is keeping a data base). All Levels will be taught simultaneously Pre-Competitive Clinic For children that can already do front and back crawl and want to learn and improve competitive skills. YMCA Lifeguard Training Participants must be 16 or older at time of registration for this training program. Must be able to swim 500 yards, do breaststroke, sidestroke, tread water for one minute. Must also hold current CPR and First Aid certifications. This class usually only runs in our Spring I session during March and April.       Adult Aquatics Adult Swim Lessons A class to brush up on the basics and even learn some competitive strokes, while improving their swimming. Registration required. Aqua Exercise This drop-in program is in the shallow/deep end of the pool. Get suited up for this cardiovascular water workout. Improves flexibility and strength. No registration required. Aquatic Stretch Class This is a drop-in program. A relaxing full body stretch class designed to provide maximum mobility in all joints. Helps relieve arthritis pain. No registration required. One of our Aqua Exercise classes in action.

The following is a copy of the letter handed out to parents at the first swimming class of the session.

Welcome to The Melrose Y instructional swim program. We hope your child will enjoy his/her swimming class and and that he/she will continue lessons throughout the year. We would like to invite you to visit your child's class and talk with the instructor during our traditional "peek week", which is the last week of the session.

Swimming is a skill that will last a lifetime and is something your child will always be able to fall back on, whether it be for fun, to stay fit or to help recover from an injury. In the more immediate future, his/her teen years, when he/she heads off to the beach with friends or a pool party, you will rest a little easier knowing he/she was taught to swim at the Y where swimming also means thinking safety. Something that will last that long and do so much cannot be learned overnight. All of us here at the Y hope your child will stay and complete the Y Progressive Swimming Program.

Things You Should Know

• The prgoress reports that are handed out the last day of each session are a guideline for you and your child. These reports show your child's accomplishments and let you know what they are capable of doing in the water. Safety and endurance are a top priority in classes at all levels. Each class revolves around building a child's confidence, safety awareness, swimming endurance and skill level. Moving from one level to another is not a sign of pass or fail but a sign of readiness.
  
  
• Flotation aids (bubbles, barbells, kick boards, etc) are teaching aids that are used throughout the program. They are used to teach new skills, to reinforce old ones, or when a child becomes fatigued so they can continue to participate.
  
  
• Please be aware that during busy lesson times the children will be assigned a specific place around the pool deck to meet with the instructor. Please allow your child to go to that assigned meeting place when you enter the pool area.
  
  

Melrose YMCA Sharks Swim Team Home Page

The Melrose YMCA Sharks Swim Team have their own informative web site. It can be visited at http://sites.google.com/site/melroseymcasharks/Home.