Swim Lessons

A natural progression promotes safe and effective swimming for all ages—from infants learning to love the water to advanced swimmers perfecting their strokes. If you need help registering more than one child for lessons, download the Swim Lessons schedule or Contact an Aquatics Manager.

Swim Starters

In this program, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim-readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences. Parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention and the importance of supervision.

Swim Basics

In this program, preschoolers, school-age kids, teens and adults learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills—swim, float, swim and jump, push, turn, grab.

Swim Strokes

Having mastered the fundamentals, preschoolers, school-age kids, teens and adults learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique.

Choosing a level

The student isn’t three years old yet.

Register for Parent & Child

The student is three to five years old.

Register for Preschool

The student is at least five years old, and isn’t yet able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. 

Register for Swim Basics

The student is at least five years old, and is able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. 

Register for Swim Strokes

If you’re not sure which lesson to sign up for, review the Lesson Selector.

Customized Private and Small Group Swim Lessons

Customized 30-minute swimming lessons can be scheduled one-on-one, with a buddy or sibling and are a great option for swimmers looking to catch up or get ahead. Available in one-, three- or seven-lesson packages and can begin at any time. Contact an Aquatics Manager to schedule.

Specialty Classes

These classes help water lovers take their skills to the next level. Get detailed specialty class descriptions for all Twin Cities locations, or find classes at Forest Lake:

Find classes

Certifications and training

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to provide care and act in an emergency through lifeguard training, CPR training, first aid training or babysitting safety training.

Our Certifications and Training can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to provide care and act in an emergency.

• Upcoming certifications and trainings
• Complete list of certifications and trainings available at Twin Cities Y locations

Group Exercise classes in the pool

Beyond swimming, the Y offers several water exercise classes that are free for YMCA members.

• Upcoming Group Exercise classes at Forest Lake
• Complete list of water exercise programs available at Twin Cities Y locations

Open and lap swim

Lap swim is a scheduled time when you can use the pool to swim or walk the pool in a continuous pattern—sometimes in designated lanes that might be shared with others. During lap swim, regular safety breaks are scheduled.

Open swim is a designated time when the pool, or a section of the pool can be used for recreational swimming or family time.

Before enjoying the pools and water features in the aquatic center, please review our swim test policy and pool guidelines.