Information about swimming lessons.

Class registration dates information.

Questions? Contact our
Aquatics Director, Pam VanderWeele.

Related pages on this site:
Aquatics   Aqua Fitness
Swim Team   Pool Schedules

This page updated for Fall, 2008.

AQUAPHOBIC?
AFRAID TO LEARN TO SWIM BUT REALLY WANT TO?
THINK YOU’RE TOO OLD TO LEARN TO SWIM?
NOT SURE IF YOU CAN AFFORD SWIM LESSONS?

The Wallingford Family YMCA with the support of the United Way of Meriden/Wallingford has just the class for you!

This class is for adults age 18-99 (or even 100!) who have never learned to swim or have had a bad experience with swimming.  The 14 week class will meet every Monday night from 6:30-7:15 pm beginning Sept. 8th 2008.

It will be limited to five students with one instructor and will meet in our more private therapy pool. Students will work on the skills in the American Red Cross Level 1 curriculum and will receive individual attention to meet and overcome their specific concerns and fears. Each student will receive a pair of goggles to help them feel more comfortable in the water.

The cost of this program is $5 for the 14 week session. A simple scholarship application must be completed in order to assure that those in financial need are accepted into the program. This form can be picked up at the YMCA or mailed to interested adults. It can also be downloaded and printed from this page.

State of Connecticut statistics and articles in our local papers show that adults drown at unacceptably high rates. The abundance of water sports here in Connecticut makes learning to swim essential.

This opportunity to learn something that not only is fun and an aerobic activity, but also life saving, is now available thanks to the United Way. Don’t miss out!

Call today to have information mailed to you. (203) 269-4497, ext. 20, Pam VanderWeele, Wallingford Family YMCA Aquatics Director.

Fee is $5 for a 14 week session.
Mondays 6:30-7:15PM Sept 8-Dec. 8, 2008

Huggies Little Swimmers
Parent-Child Outreach Program

The goal of this program is to introduce water experiences to children ages 6 months-40 months old. A parent or other caregiver must accompany the child in the pool. Parents will be given information and demonstrations on how to help their child be safer around pools and open water. Parents and children will be introduced to life jackets and other swim aids and their use.

Our goal is to reach underserved and low income families in the Wallingford/Meriden community. Huggies swim diapers will be supplied to all children for each class. The class will be held in our warm therapy pool and will meet for half an hour once a week for 5 weeks.

4 sessions will be offered. Families may participate in only 1 session. Classes will be full with 10 parent-child pairs, so early registration is important.

A $5 non refundable fee is due at registration. Printer friendly registration form.

The first session is Session A, which starts on Oct. 11 and runs through Nov. 8. Meets every Saturday, 10:50 to 11:20 am.

Saturdays, 10:50-11:20 AM, Oct. 11 thru Nov. 8, 2008

3 other sessions will be offered in 2009. Call for dates!

 

Parent/Child Classes (6-38 mo.)

Parent or caregiver swims with child.

Follows American Red Cross Parent & Child Cirriculum. Parent/caregiver swims with child
Promotes water enrichment and aquatic readiness activities. All children who are not potty trained MUST wear a swim diaper and a bathing suit or plastic pants.
To receive the member rate, at least 1 participant must be a current member.

Shrimp/Kipper - For children 6-18 months with a parent. An introduction to water, including safe exploration. Includes songs, games, and basic water skills.

SKIP Class - For children 6-36 months with a parent. An introduction to water, including more safe exploration. Utilizes increased motor development of child to add basic water skills in a fun song and game program.

Inia/Perch - For children 18-38 months with parent. Children work with parents and the instructor as they learn to move more independently through the water.

 

Preschool Swim Program (3-6 yr. – through Kindergarten)

Children are 3-6* years old. Parent does not swim with child.
Max. ratio 1:6
• Includes 6 year olds who are in Kindergarten.
• There are 4 levels so that a child can progress though the levels as their skills develop. The goal is for the children to learn how to swim on their front, back, and side as well as learn basic water safety skills.
*At least one participant must be a Y member.

Pike - For children who need to adjust to the water and develop independent movement. Teaches basic stroke and kicking skills, floating, pool safety, placing faces in the water, and blowing bubbles.

Eel - For children who are comfortable in the water, put their face in the water, and use minimal flotation. Children are taught to float, and swim on their front, back, and side.

Ray - For children who can swim width of pool with faces in the water and use no flotation device. Reviews and improves stroke skills on front, back, and side, builds endurance, teaches treading water, progressive diving skills, and elementary backstroke.

Starfish - This advanced level refines crawl, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and introduces breaststroke.

Preschool Swim Lesson Fees: 7 classes, 30 min.each)
Family Members: $42 Youth Members: $56 Program Membes: $100	Sunday classes $40 Sunday classes: $40 Sunday classes: $80

Youth
(6 yr. and up or in 1st grade and above)

Polliwog. For beginning swimmers. May wear bubbles. Class works on basic skills such as kicking, arm strokes, putting face in the water, and floats. Water safety included.

Guppy. Advanced beginners. Children are able to swim the width of the pool without a floatation device. Are able to put face in water while swimming. Introduces rhythmic breathing, safety skills, elementary backstroke and kneeling dive.

Minnow. Intermediate. Works on improving rotary breathing, introduces scissors kick for sidestroke, and breaststroke.

Fish. Advanced intermediate. Teaches open turns and begins butterfly. Builds endurance. Must be able to swim 50 yards of each stroke except butterfly to advance.

Flying Fish / Shark. Advanced. These 2 levels work on refining strokes, on the 100 and 200 yard IM, competitive starts and turns and more sophisticated rescue skills.

Youth Swim Lesson Fees: (7 classes, 45 min.each)
	Family Members: $57 Youth Members: $77 Program Membes: $115