YMCA of the Triangle
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Preschool Swim Lessons

A preschooler with goggles and floties eagerly waits her turn for swim lessons

Preschool Swimmers

Learning to swim at a young age provides a life skill your child can build on as they get older. Preschool swim lessons at the YMCA are fun, interactive and engaging. 

The YMCA of the Triangle offers progressive swim lessons for ages 3 - 5. YMCA swim lessons are taught year-round in our indoor and outdoor pools.

We use class levels to ensure your preschooler is placed according to his/her ability. Children are evaluated at the beginning of each session and placed in the appropriate class based on demonstrated ability. 

Most preschoolers begin lessons as non-swimmers and gradually progress to different levels. 

Class Levels

It will take several sessions of lessons to progress levels.

  • Tread water for 30 seconds with flotation
  • Jump and submerge with assistance
  • Float on back for 10 seconds without flotation
  • Five submerged rhythmic breaths
  • Roll with assistance
  • Swim 5 feet front crawl with face in water without flotation

  • Tread water for 15 seconds without flotation
  • Jump, push, turn and grab
  • Swim 12.5 yards backstroke with flotation
  • Front glide for 5 feet with roll
  • Touch the bottom of the shallow end with hand
  • Swim 12.5 yards front crawl with flotation

  • Tread water for 30 seconds without flotation
  • Perform a sitting front glide
  • Swim 12.5 yards front crawl
  • Swim 12.5 yards backstroke
  • Swim 12.5 yards elementary backstroke with whip kick

Registration

Spring Lessons

(Mar./Apr./May)
Feb. 1: Members
Feb. 15: Participants

Summer Lessons

(June/July/Aug.)
April 1: Members
April 15: Participants*

Fall Lessons

(Sept./Oct./Nov.)
Aug. 1: Members
Aug. 15: Participants

Winter Lessons

(Dec./Jan./Feb.)
Nov. 1: Members
Nov. 15: Participants

Not all lesson days and times are available for Program Participants, due to demand.

*Outdoor summer swim lessons are only available for YMCA Members.

What Parents Say About Preschool Swim Lessons

Aquatics Directors

Questions? Please get in touch with our Aquatics Directors.

A.E. Finley YMCA: Linda Singh
Alexander Family YMCA: Finley Baldwin
Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA and YMCA at Meadowmont: Jonathan Sasser
Downtown Durham and Hope Valley Farms YMCAs: Stanley Bass
East Triangle YMCA: David Huie
Ingram Family YMCA & Chatham Park YMCA: Max Turner
Kerr Family YMCA: Antoinette Pujol
Kraft Family YMCA: Madison Temple
Northwest Cary YMCA: Shane Tillett
Poole Family YMCA: Jaime Jewett
Taylor Family YMCA: Brandon Hicks
Southeast Raleigh YMCA: Waleska Brown