Swim Lessons

The YMCA has been America's leading swim instructor for more than 100 years and is the most accessible community resource for swimming lessons and water safety.

Swimmers who develop a love of the water and want further instruction can progress to the YMCA of Central Kentucky's competitive swim teams.

Learn how to swim with us! YMCA swimming lessons are a progressive program teaching swimming skills, stroke technique and water safety skills such as floating, treading water and safety entering and exiting a pool. Swim lessons are available for all ages, from infants to adults. Private and semi-private swim lessons are also available. Our swimming programs are led by trained instructors who are certified in CPR and First Aid in addition to their formal swim instructor training. 

We offer swimming lessons for all ages and levels - from infants and toddlers to teens and adults. Our progressive swimming lessons teach kids how to swim through fun activities that teach swim skills, strokes and technique. Adults interested in learning to swim are encouraged to take private or semi-private swimming lessons. 
 

Your swimmer will need a swimsuit and a towel. Goggles are recommended but not required. All other items your instructor will provide. Recommended goggles with clear lens and not colored as it is easier to see under the water for new swimmers.

Please make sure that all children come dressed and ready to get in the water at least 5 minutes before their class start time.

When you enter the facility please stop by the Welcome Center to check-in, staff will help you find the locker rooms if you need assistance. 

The instructors will evaluate the participants' swimming ability during the first class. If the participant needs to move up or down a level the instructor will notify the supervisor. We will work with the parent/guardian to change to the appropriate class if it is available.

If the swimmer is registered for the A/ Water Discovery & B/ Water Exploration a parent/guardian will need to be in the water for all swim lessons.

We encourage you to get to know the instructors. If you have any specific questions about your swimmer's abilities, the instructor will be glad to talk before or after class. Please keep this brief though, as they have classes before and after yours.

All parents/guardians are encouraged to watch the swim lessons, though we ask all spectators to stay at least 10 ft away from the pool. You may sit on the benches on the pool deck or view from the viewing windows. If you are viewing, please remain seated quietly.

You may also wait in the lobby or use other areas in the facility, if you are a member. Keeping a distance from the class area removes additional distractions.

If your presence is distracting, the instructor or supervisor may ask you to wait outside the pool area to maximize the participant’s learning process and not interfere with the class.

Each swimmer receives a Certificate of Achievement during the last lesson. It will give you information on what was accomplished in the session and what stage to register your swimmer in next.

Skills are evaluated periodically throughout the session, as we do not have a specific “test” day. If you have any questions, please speak with your instructor. They will be able to provide feedback through the session.

Children progress at their own speed, and it is common for a swimmer to remain at the same level for a complete year of classes, even with prefect attendance.

A child’s self-esteem and confidence, as well as skill and strength development are all important aspects determining the progression to the next level.

We try very hard to keep consistency with instructors throughout the session. This helps participants to gain trust and a connection with their instructors.

Sometimes instructors will need to miss a class and there will be a substitute instructor.

We try to keep the number of substitutes that one class has to a minimum each session.

There are NO make-ups for missed classes, whether the swimmer is sick, out of town, or unable to attend. Due to instructor/participant ratio requirements, it is not an option to attend a class at another time slot in place of a missed class. 

If it is lightning within 10 miles, or if thunder is heard, there will be immediate closure of the pool deck for no less than 30 minutes from the last lightning strike or sound of thunder. We do not make-up or refund swim lessons due to weather. Staff will make all efforts to reach out if the pool is closed due to weather during their swim lesson.