Program Philosophy: The Presidio YMCA Aquatics swim lesson program is a SKILL-BASED learning program dedicated to developing swimmers who are comfortable, confident, and independent in the water.  The program is designed to help children develop a life-long relationship with the water by beginning with water orienation and progressing to stroke development.  

Distinctive Programming: This program is unique for its high level of instruction, low instructor to participant ratios, and a fun community-based environment.  Group Swim Lessons began at the YMCA over 100 years ago, and with all that experience behind us we have created a program that cannot be matched in quality, safety, or fun.  All of our instructors go through an extensive training and certification process.  As part of our committment to safety, there are always two lifeguards on duty during our programs.  And unlike other swim lesson programs, YMCA swim lessons also include PERSONAL SAFETY, PERSONAL GROWTH, WATER SPORTS/GAMES, and RESCUE components in addition to the core class curriculum.  The YMCA is a values driven organization, and the 4 core values, HONESTY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and CARING are infused into our teaching approach and style. 

Life Skills:  At the Presidio Community YMCA, our swim lesson program begins at 6 months of age and then provides youth aquatic programming through 18 years of age.  Graduates from the swim lesson program will be ready for competitive swimming, water polo, and synchronized swimming programs should they decide to pursue participation in aquatic sports.  Regardless of their path, the Presidio Community YMCA swim lesson program is reknowned for producing exceptionally strong swimmers who love the water. 

Family Friendly Programming:  We are constantly re-evaluating our programs to make them more user friendly.  We schedule classes that strive to help get everyone in the family into the water at the same time, whether it is a mom swimming laps while her child is in lessons, or a parent/child class that runs at the same time as our pre-school classes.  We offer family programming that is included free of charge with membership, including Friday Family Nights, and Water Safety Lectures.  Program members are welcome to bring their swimmers in on Fridays during their registered session to practice their skills at no extra charge.  We have also added make-up classes and create your own class options.  Most importantly, we offer a myriad of programming for all ages, so there is something for everyone in your family. 

Parent/Child Program, Ages 6 mos - 3 yrs

Parents/guardians accompany their infants and toddlers in these water orientation classes.  Classes focus on water adjustment, water safety, and basic swim movements, but also encourage Parent/Child bonding, and socialization skills in a fun, community environment.  Parents will learn how to teach their children basic water skills as well as critical water safety information and life saving skills.  Exposing infants/toddlers to the water early helps to set a foundation of comfort that will last a lifetime.   Each child must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Classes are 30 minutes.

Instructor:Participant Ratio = 1:12

Shrimp (6 mos - 3 yrs)  Parents/guardians accompany their infants and toddlers in introductory water orientation classes.  In this class, parents will learn the basic cues and holds to teach their children basic water skills.  This curriculum is designed to be an introductory course to the parent/child program.  Once parents are familiar with the basic elements of this program, they move to the Perch classes

Perch (12 mos - 3 yrs) (Must have completed at least one session of Shrimp) This class builds off the skills learned in Shrimp.  This class is designed to further develop a child’s level of comfort and competence in the water by reinforcing skills, increasing 1 on 1 time with the instructor, and introducing new skills.

Kipper (18 mos - 3 yrs) (Must have completed a minimum of 3 sessions of Perch and received instructor referral.) This class is designed for the child whose consistent exposure to the water has helped them become ready to learn to swim independently.  Incorporates more 1 on 1 time with instructor and more principals from our Preschool Swim Program to further prepare a child for transition.   INSTRUCTOR REFERRAL REQUIRED.

 Preschool Program, Ages 3 - 5 years

Children will learn basic swim skills without the assistance of their parents.

Instructor:Student Ratio = 1:4 Pike, 1:5 Eel/Ray, 1:6 Starfish

Pike (Beginners, no prerequisites) Children learn water adjustment, basic water skills, and water safety. 

Eel (Participants must be comfortable putting their face in the water and able to perform a front float and back float unassisted) Children will learn crawl stroke, kicking on front and back, backstroke, and elementary backstroke in addition to basic water skills and water safety.

Ray (Participants must be able to swim 10 yards of crawl stroke and back stroke unassisted) Children will improve their basic stroke skills, build endurance, and learn dolphin kick, kneeling dive, and how to tread water.

Starfish (Participants must be able to swim 25 yards of crawl stroke and back stroke) Children will learn more advanced swim technique in addition to learning the basics of breaststroke and butterfly.

 Youth Program, Ages 6 - 14 years

Participants will learn basic to advanced water skills, stroke technique, personal safety, water safety, rescue skills, and personal growth.

Instructor:Student Ratio = 1:4 Otter, 1:5 Polliwog, 1:6 Guppy, 1:7 Minnow, 1:8 Fish/Fly Fish

Pre-Polliwog (Beginner, no prerequisites) Learn floats, breath control, water orientation, and basic water skills. 

Polliwog (Must be able to submerge, float on front/back, and perform water bobs) Learn basic water skills.  Class covers kicking, basic strokes, and water safety.

Guppy (Participants must be able to swim crawl stroke and back stroke 15 yards) Youth will develop crawl stroke, backstroke, and elementary backstroke, in addition to treading water and basic rescue skills.

Minnow (Participants must be able to swim 25 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and elementary backstroke) Youth will further develop stroke technique in addition to learning breaststroke, dolphin kick and other water skills.  Participants will continue to build endurance and confidence in the water.

Fish (Participants must be able to swim 50 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke) Youth will begin refining stroke technique and will be taught butterfly and flip turns in addition to building endurance.  Youth will learn more advanced rescue skills and develop leadership skills through supporting and learning to teach each other.

Flying Fish (Participants must be able to swim 100 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke, and 50 yards of butterfly in addition to being able to tread water for 2 minutes) Youth will learn advanced stroke technique, and all competitive turns.  Emphasis on endurance and leadership skills.  This class will prepare participants for a competitive swim team if desired.

Presidio Aquatics Club Swim Team (Tryouts mandatory.  Participants must be able to swim 500 freestyle non-stop and 50 yards of each of the competitive strokes and turns)  Year-round, competitive swim team with emphasis on stroke technique, building endurance, leadership, and team building.  Ages 7 - 18. 

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