The goal of Newton YMCA Swim Lessons is for everyone to have a fun, positive experience. YMCA Swim Lessons are taught by trained instructors. Please note that on the first day of class, children should be dressed in their swimsuits and ready to swim. Any child who has a cold, fever, diarrhea, or ear infection should not attend class.

If you have any questions please contact Sue Field, Director of Aquatics and Fitness, at (641) 792-4006 or email her at sue.field@newtonymca.org.

Swim Lesson Information:
Session I: Jan. 9-Feb. 25
Session II: March 5-April 28 (No classes week of March 19)
Fees: $19 Y member; $50 non-member

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM (AGE 3-5)

PIKE
Pike is designed for beginning swimmers. Basic paddle stroke and kicking skills, pool safety, and comfort in the water are the focus.

When: 3:45-4:15 p.m. Wednesday; 10-10:30 a.m. Thursday; 9:45-10:15 a.m. Saturday; 11:25-11:55 a.m. Saturday

EEL
Eel is for the swimmer who will put his/her face in the water and is able to kick and float with a floatation device. Participants are taught to perform the progressive paddle stroke and are beginning to swim without a floatation device.

When: 4:15-4:45 p.m. Wednesday; 10:35-11:05 a.m. Thursday; 10:20-10:50 a.m. Saturday 

RAY/STARFISH
At this level children review previous skills, improve stroke skills, learn more about personal safety and rescue skills, and build endurance.

When: 9:45-10:15 a.m. Saturday

YOUTH PROGRAM (AGE 6 & UP)

This program consists of five main components: personal growth, personal safety, stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue. Each skill level builds on the preceding level with six levels covering all the strokes, diving fundamentals and safety skills.

POLLIWOG
This is the beginning level for school-age children. Children become acquainted with the pool, the use of instructional floatation devices, and floating. By the end of this level, participants should know the front crawl, and backstroke, and are introduced to elementary backstroke. Children should be able to swim 15 feet without assistance upon completion of this level.

When: 3:45-4:15 p.m. Wednesday; 10:20-10:50 a.m. Saturday; 11:25-11:55 a.m. Saturday 

GUPPY
Children continue to practice and build upon basic skills at this level. Swimmers are introduced to lead-up strokes to sidestroke and breaststroke, and learn rotary breathing. Some diving skills are taught as well. To pass to the next level, children must be able to swim the length of the pool without assistance.
When: 3:45-4:30 p.m. Wednesday; 9:45-10:30 a.m. Saturday; 10:55-11:40 a.m. Saturday

MINNOW
This is the intermediate level. Children begin to improve the strokes they have learned as their skills become more refined. They learn more diving skills, personal safety and rescue, and improve stroke technique.

When: 3:45-4:30 p.m. Wednesday; 10:35-11:20 a.m. Saturday

FISH

At this level, participants continue improvement on front crawl, elementary backstroke, backstroke and sidestroke. They are introduced to the butterfly storke and open turns. Swimmers continue learning diving skills, personal safety and rescue skills, and new water sports and games.

When: 9:45-10:30 a.m. Saturday

FLYING FISH
At this advanced level of Flying Fish, participants work on refining their strokes and increasing endurance. Participants in Flyin Fish are introduced to competitive stroke techniques. Opportunities are provided for further work on personal safety and rescue skills.

When: 10:35-11:20 a.m. Saturday

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

One-on-one instruction is available by appointment for children and adults. Contact Sue Field, Aquatics Director. at 641-792-4006 to schedule with an instructor.
Fees: 1/2 hour lesson
$20 Y Members; $50 Non-members

PARENT/CHILD (AGE 6-36 MONTHS)
The objective of this program is to get both the parent and child comfortable in the water. In these 30-minute classes, the child will become aware of the differences between moving through water and on dry land while parents learn how to teach their child to be safer in and around the water.

When: 10:55-11:25 a.m. Saturday

Fees: $14 Y Members; $40 Non-members

HOME SCHOOL SWIM LESSONS:
Session I: Jan. 9-Feb. 25
Session II: March 5-April 28 (No classes week of March 19)
When: Tuesdays
Preschool 1-1:30 p.m.
Polliwog -1:35-2:05 p.m.
Guppy/Minnow 2:10-2:55 p.m.
Fish/Flying Fish/Shark 3-3:45 p.m. 
Fees: $19 Y member; $50 non-member