Swim Lessons - Learn to Swim (Ages 5 to 12 years)
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines is now teaching American Red Cross Swim lessons! We believe that learning is a life-long journey and we take swimming from 6 months of age through adulthood. Swimming is a healthy life-long fitness and recreational program for the entire family. We challenge you to build on the knowledge that you already have all while having fun and being safe.
Our classes are designed to ensure the best learning experience for you and/or your child, and more importantly, their safety. Please carefully review the skills for each class level. Not sure which level to take? Take our class selector questionnaire. You and/or your child must be proficient in ALL of the skills listed in a lower level before being registered for a higher level. Should aquatic staff determine you/your child is not in the appropriate level, you/your child will be asked to move to a different class, if available. Safety and respect of others enrolled in the swim program will not allow for us to go over in teacher/student ratios. If space is not available in the child’s appropriate level, no refund will be given.
All registration for swim lessons will close one week prior to the start of the class. Once registration for the class has closed, there will be no refunds or credits given.
Level 1
Ages: 5-12 years
This is the beginner class for school-aged children. There are no pre-requisites for this level. In this class children will learn introduction skills to the water and safely enjoy it. No goggles are allowed in this class. They will learn the following skills independently:
- Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side independently
- Blow bubbles through mouth and nose independently
- Bobbing independently
- Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects independently
- Front and back glides and floats independently
- Recover to vertical position independently
- Roll from front to back and back to front independently
- Tread water using arm and hand actions with minimal support
- Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
- Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
Member: $90.00
Non-Member:$180.00
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration Open | 9/23/24 | 12/15/24 | Online / Front Desk | $ 90.00 | $ 180.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
---|---|---|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 6:25 pm - 6:55 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/09/25 - 02/13/25
Th - 5:20 pm - 5:50 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/09/25 - 02/13/25
Th - 6:25 pm - 6:55 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/12/25 - 02/16/25
Su - 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 1
Ages: 5-12 years
This is the beginner class for school-aged children. There are no pre-requisites for this level. In this class children will learn introduction skills to the water and safely enjoy it. No goggles are allowed in this class. They will learn the following skills independently:
- Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side independently
- Blow bubbles through mouth and nose independently
- Bobbing independently
- Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects independently
- Front and back glides and floats independently
- Recover to vertical position independently
- Roll from front to back and back to front independently
- Tread water using arm and hand actions with minimal support
- Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
- Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
Member: $90.00
Non-Member: $180.00
Registration Information
Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration Open | 9/23/24 | 12/11/24 | Online / Front Desk | $ 90.00 | $ 180.00 |
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/06/25 - 02/10/25
Mo - 6:50 pm - 7:20 pm
|
5 / 5 Available |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/08/25 - 02/12/25
We - 4:50 pm - 5:20 pm
|
5 / 5 Available |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 2
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will learn the fundamentals of aquatic skills, learning basic swimming skills to begin to travel in the water independently. There are no goggles allowed in this level. Students will need to be able to perform all the skills in either Preschool Level 3 or Learn To Swim Level 1 to be in this level. In this class they will learn the following skills:
- Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side independently
- Blow bubbles through mouth and nose independently
- Bobbing independently
- Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects independently
- Front and back glides and floats independently
- Recover to vertical position independently
- Roll from front to back and back to front independently
- Tread water using arm and hand actions with minimal support
- Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
- Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
- Change direction of travel while swimming on front and back independently
- Tread water using arm and leg actions independently
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back independently
- Finning arm action independently
Member: $90.00
Non-Member: $180.00
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
---|---|---|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 5:20 pm - 5:50 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 5:55 pm - 6:25 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/09/25 - 02/13/25
Th - 5:55 pm - 6:25 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/12/25 - 02/16/25
Su - 2:35 pm - 3:05 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 2
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will learn the fundamentals of aquatic skills, learning basic swimming skills to begin to travel in the water independently. There are no goggles allowed in this level. Students will need to be able to perform all the skills in either Preschool Level 3 or Learn To Swim Level 1 to be in this level. In this class they will learn the following skills:
- Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side independently
- Blow bubbles through mouth and nose independently
- Bobbing independently
- Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects independently
- Front and back glides and floats independently
- Recover to vertical position independently
- Roll from front to back and back to front independently
- Tread water using arm and hand actions with minimal support
- Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
- Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
- Change direction of travel while swimming on front and back independently
- Tread water using arm and leg actions independently
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back independently
- Finning arm action independently
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/06/25 - 02/10/25
Mo - 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm
|
5 / 5 Available |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/08/25 - 02/12/25
We - 6:50 pm - 7:20 pm
|
5 / 5 Available |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 3A
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will learn the basics of stroke development, getting them ready for deeper water. Goggles are allowed in this level. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything listed in learn to swim levels 1 and 2 plus:
- Bobbing while moving toward safety successfully and independently
- Jump from side in deep water, fully submerge, then recover to the surface and return to the side.
- Rotary breathing 15 times.
- Survival float successfully and independently for 30 seconds.
- Back float successfully and independently for minimum of 30 seconds
- Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back successfully and independently
- Tread water in deep water for minimum of 30 seconds successfully and independently
- Push off in streamlined position on front and back and flutter kick 3-5 body lengths.
- Front crawl and elementary backstroke minimum of 15 yards successfully and independently
- Jump into deep water from the side, recover, tread water for 30 seconds and swim to side of the pool.
- Push off in a streamlined position, swim front crawl for 15 yards, change direction and swim 15 yards elementary backstroke.
Member: $90.00
Non-Member: $180.00
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
---|---|---|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 6:25 pm - 6:55 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/09/25 - 02/13/25
Th - 6:25 pm - 6:55 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/12/25 - 02/16/25
Su - 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
|
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 3A
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will learn the basics of stroke development, getting them ready for deeper water. Goggles are allowed in this level. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything listed in learn to swim levels 1 and 2 plus:
- Bobbing while moving toward safety successfully and independently
- Jump from side in deep water, fully submerge, then recover to the surface and return to the side.
- Rotary breathing 15 times.
- Survival float successfully and independently for 30 seconds.
- Back float successfully and independently for minimum of 30 seconds
- Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back successfully and independently
- Tread water in deep water for minimum of 30 seconds successfully and independently
- Push off in streamlined position on front and back and flutter kick 3-5 body lengths.
- Front crawl and elementary backstroke minimum of 15 yards successfully and independently
- Jump into deep water from the side, recover, tread water for 30 seconds and swim to side of the pool.
- Push off in a streamlined position, swim front crawl for 15 yards, change direction and swim 15 yards elementary backstroke.
Member: $90
Non-Member: $180.00
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/06/25 - 02/10/25
Mo - 4:50 pm - 5:20 pm
|
5 / 5 Available |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/08/25 - 02/12/25
We - 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm
|
5 / 5 Available |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 3B
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will build on that stroke development they learned in the previous levels, begin to work in the deeper water to a level of comfort, while building stamina, learn to dive from the side of the pool, and begin learning both the side stroke and breast stroke. Goggles are allowed in this level. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything listed in learn to swim levels 1, 2 and 3A plus:
- Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions successfully and independently
- Survival float for 1 minute successfully and independently.
- While in a vertical position, rotate 1 full turn in deep water.
- Tread water for minimum of 1 minute successfully and independently
- Flutter, scissor, dolphin and breaststroke kicks on front / side minimum 15 yards successfully and independently
- Front crawl with rotary breathing and elementary backstroke minimum of 15 yards successfully and independently.
- Jump into the deep water from the side, recover, tread water for 1 minute, and rotate one full turn, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
- Push off in a streamlined position then swim front crawl for 15 yards, change position/direction as necessary, swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Special Rate | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 5:30 pm - 6:10 pm
|
$120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
|
01/09/25 - 02/13/25
Th - 6:10 pm - 6:50 pm
|
$120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 3B
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will build on that stroke development they learned in the previous levels, begin to work in the deeper water to a level of comfort, while building stamina, learn to dive from the side of the pool, and begin learning both the side stroke and breast stroke. Goggles are allowed in this level. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything listed in learn to swim levels 1, 2 and 3A plus:
- Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions successfully and independently
- Survival float for 1 minute successfully and independently.
- While in a vertical position, rotate 1 full turn in deep water.
- Tread water for minimum of 1 minute successfully and independently
- Flutter, scissor, dolphin and breaststroke kicks on front / side minimum 15 yards successfully and independently
- Front crawl with rotary breathing and elementary backstroke minimum of 15 yards successfully and independently.
- Jump into the deep water from the side, recover, tread water for 1 minute, and rotate one full turn, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
- Push off in a streamlined position then swim front crawl for 15 yards, change position/direction as necessary, swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | Special Rate | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
01/11/25 - 02/15/25
Sa - 9:00 am - 9:40 am
|
8 / 8 Available | $120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 4
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will learn stroke improvement, perfecting the stroke previously learned, as well as learn the side stroke, breast stroke, back crawl and butterfly. Goggles are allowed in this class. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything in learn to swim levels 1, 2 and 3, plus:
- Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions successfully and independently
- Swim under water minimum 5 body lengths successfully and independently
- Feet-first surface dive successfully and independently
- Survival swimming minimum 30 seconds successfully and independently
- Front crawl and backstroke open turns successfully and independently
- Tread water using 2 different kicks minimum of 2 minutes successfully and independently
- Front and elementary backstroke minimum 25 yards successfully and independently
- Back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly minimum of 15 yards successfully and independently
- Streamlined flutter and dolphin kicks on back minimum 3-5 body lengths successfully and independently.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Special Rate | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/09/25 - 02/13/25
Th - 5:30 pm - 6:10 pm
|
$120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 4
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class children will learn stroke improvement, perfecting the stroke previously learned, as well as learn the side stroke, breast stroke, back crawl and butterfly. Goggles are allowed in this class. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything in learn to swim levels 1, 2 and 3, plus:
- Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions successfully and independently
- Swim under water minimum 5 body lengths successfully and independently
- Feet-first surface dive successfully and independently
- Survival swimming minimum 30 seconds successfully and independently
- Front crawl and backstroke open turns successfully and independently
- Tread water using 2 different kicks minimum of 2 minutes successfully and independently
- Front and elementary backstroke minimum 25 yards successfully and independently
- Back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly minimum of 15 yards successfully and independently
- Streamlined flutter and dolphin kicks on back minimum 3-5 body lengths successfully and independently.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | Special Rate | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
01/11/25 - 02/15/25
Sa - 10:00 am - 10:40 am
|
10 / 10 Available | $120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Level 5
Ages: 5-12 years
In this class, your child will learn stroke refinement, guiding them to become more efficient swimmers. They will work on endurance, dives, flip turns and other skills to be able to swim leisurely and /or on a swim team. In this level they will learn the following skills:
- Everything in learn to swim levels 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4, plus:
- Shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke successfully and independently
- Tread water for at least 5 minutes
- Tuck and pike surface dives, submerge completely successfully and independently
- Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming successfully and independently
- Front crawl and elementary backstroke minimum of 50 yards successfully and independently
- Back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly minimum of 25 yards successfully and independently
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Spots Available | Special Rate | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
01/11/25 - 02/15/25
Sa - 11:00 am - 11:40 am
|
10 / 10 Available | $120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |
Youth Endurance Swim Program (Y.E.S) (ages 6-12)
In this class children will learn stroke improvement and build endurance in all strokes, freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. Goggles and swim caps are allowed in this class. In this program they will practice the following skills:
• Tread water for 5 minutes
• Tread water for 2 minutes with 2 different kicks
• Open turns for all strokes
• Flip turns for freestyle and backstroke
• All kicks with and without a kickboard
• Build endurance in freestyle for up to 100 yards successfully and independently
• Build endurance in breaststroke, and backstroke for up to 75 yards successfully and independently
• Build endurance in butterfly for up to 50 yards successfully and independently
Participants will also begin learning the following:
• Workout and practice format
• Stroke drill names and purpose
• Basic math for workout intervals
• Continue education in water safety
• Cover basic topics of physical health and wellness
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | Special Rate | ||
---|---|---|---|
01/07/25 - 02/11/25
Tu - 6:10 pm - 6:55 pm
|
$120 - $240 |
Registration will open on 11/25/2024 |