Four Core Values of the YMCA
Parkersburg YMCA
Aquatics
YMCA

Open Swim
For any age swimmer; those 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 16 or over in the pool. Please be aware of all posted rules.

When possible, at least one lap lane will remain available during open swim times. However, there will be no lap swim available at anytime open swim is sharing the pool with another program such as swim lessons. We reserve the right to close the pool for special events or classes. Please see our Program Guide for the Hours our pool is available.

Lap Swim
For any age swimmer who can swim lengths of the pool. Adults (13 years and older) have priority use during the 5:00 pm lap swim.

Aqua Tone
This class is designed for all ages 13 and up and fitness levels. The class incorporates cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility, and balance training. It also enhances mobility and circulation. Great for people with any orthopedic problems or physical limitations. Swimming skills are not required, but you should be comfortable in water.

LIFEGUARDING CLASS
You must be at least 15 years old by the last day of class and pass a swimming skills test on the first day of class. This course will cover all the requirements for the American Red Cross Certification. The curriculum includes facility management, water and non-water rescue techniques, and swimming endurance training.

Parent/Child Swim Lessons
Ages 6 months to 3 years

Bring your infant/toddler and enjoy the benefits that come from this aquatic experience. Children enrolled in the parent/child classes must be at least 6 months old and have good head control. Children must wear snug fitting swim diapers. All classes are 40 minutes long.
Shrimp (6-18 months) Max. 6
The parent will be in the water (parent or responsible adult) with their child. In water participation is required with these infant/toddler class. This is a water adjustment class. The program helps form reasonable and healthy expectations of your child’s progress through songs, games, and fun activities.
Perch (18-36 months) Max. 6
A class for the in-between child who is not quite ready to swim alone with the instructor. A trusted adult will need to be in the water with the child each class unless otherwise directed by the instructor.

Preschool Swim Lessons
Ages 3-5 years

Children enrolled in the preschool level develop safe pool behavior, adjust to the water, and develop independent movement in the water. These beginning classes provide a child’s first experience in the pool without parents. All classes are 40 minutes long.
Pike (Beginner I) Max. 6
Pike is for children with little or no experience in the water. Must be 3 years old or turning 3 within this session to sign up. No previous swimming experience is necessary. While adjusting to the water, children develop safe pool behavior and develop independence. New swimmers learn basic paddle stroke and kicking skills, and they learn to hold their faces in the water while blowing bubbles.
Eel (Beginner II) Max. 6
Children must be comfortable with their face in the water and swim by themselves for a short distance on their back without flotation device prior to enrolling. While reinforcing Pike skills, Eels learn to flutter kick, dive, and float and perform the paddle stroke. It is for children who are comfortable in the water.
Ray (Adv. Beginner) Max. 6
Children in Ray will start to explore more advanced strokes than front paddle and back paddle. They must be able to perform front and back paddle without a flotation device prior to enrolling. It is the most advanced class offered to our 3-5 year olds.

School Age Progressive Lessons
Ages 6-13 years

Children enrolled in the progressive level continue to build on the skills and knowledge they have gained. This program comprises five main components; personal safety, stroke development, and water rescue. Each skill level builds upon the preceding level, six levels covering all the strokes, diving fundamentals, and safety skills. All classes are 40 minutes long.
Polliwog (Beginner) Max. 8
Polliwog is a beginner level course for children with little or no experience in the water. Children must be at least 6 years old or turning 6 before the end of the session to enroll. No swimming experience needed. This class gets children acquainted with the pool, the use of floatation devices, and floating.
Guppy (Adv. Beginner) Max. 8
Children must be able to swim 1/3 of the length of the pool to be a Guppy. They need to be comfortable with floating on their front and back, treading water, putting their face in the water, and swimming in the deep end prior to enrolling.
Minnow (Intermediate) Max. 8
Children must able to swim front crawl with rhythmic breathing, back crawl, and have the fundamentals for breast stroke, elementary backstroke, and side-stroke prior to enrolling.
Fish (Adv. Intermediate) Max. 8
Children must be able to swim front crawl with rotary breathing, backstroke, rudimentary breaststroke, and elementary backstroke prior to enrolling. They are introduced to the butterfly stroke. They learn diving skills and continue learning personal safety, boating, and rescue skills.
Flying Fish/Shark (Advanced) Max. 8

An advanced class for students who have mastered other levels. The butterfly stroke will be worked on. Preparation for swim team includes flip and open turns, rescue skills and IM work.

Adult Lessons
(13 and Up)

Our adult program is an ideal class for anyone looking to gain more confidence in the water or just improve their form. Designed for those who are comfortable in the water and want to learn the basics of swimming. Emphasizes stroke development in freestyle and backstroke. Side breathing and breaststroke will also be introduced. Our quality teachers will teach adult lessons for swimmers who want to refine their strokes, become more efficient in the water, and build endurance. Improve your freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly through specific drills associated with each stroke. Flip-turns and starts will also be covered. Both sessions are 7-week sessions.

Private Swim Lessons
Would you like one-on-one lessons with an experienced swim instructor? Lessons will be based on the skill of participant and are available on an appointment only basis, depending on the instructor and pool availability. A minimum of five lessons must be purchased and scheduled. Arrange your classes at the Customer Service Desk.

 

 



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