One of the best gifts you can give your child (or yourself!) is to learn to swim. As "America's Swim Instructor," each year the Y teaches more than a million children water safety and swimming skills. We offer swim lessons for all ages that are designed to allow the participants to have fun in the water while learning important swimming skills. The curriculum follows YMCA of the USA’s National Safety and Core Skill Development Standards, and is based on the development abilities of each participant. Swimmers will learn the basic skills that build on one another as the levels increase. They also learn about water safety, water sports, games and rescue.

Click Here for the Swim Lesson Selector Chart and Stage Descriptions

Lesson Fees are Monthly and ongoing.

Parent/Child Swim Lessons (6-36 months)

Stage A: Water Discovery / Stage B: Water Exploration

Stage A: Parents accompany children in stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.

Stage B: In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

Preschool Swim Lessons (3-5 years)

Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

Preschool Swim Lessons (3-5 years)

Stage 2: Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

Preschool Swim Lessons (3-5 years)

Stage 3: Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Youth Swim Lessons (6+ years)

Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

Youth Swim Lessons (6+ years) 

 Stage 2: Water Movement 

 In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

Youth Swim Lessons (6+ years)

Stage 3: Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Youth Swim Lessons (6+ years)

Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.

Youth Swim Lessons (6+ years)

Stage 5: Stroke Development 

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

Other Swim Lessons

Price reflects one month of 4 sessions

Must register in person at the Family YMCA

Please contact Tiffany Kulland at 309-344-1324 or tkulland@knoxymca.org with any questions regarding swim lessons.