Swimming is a Life Skill
Swimming is great exercise and a life skill for ALL ages. The Y has long been America’s favorite place to swim, whether you’re just learning how to swim, improving strokes, swimming competitively or taking water exercise classes.
The Wallingford Family YMCA believes that swimming is key for safety and for supporting the aerobic, muscular and skeletal health of all members. We offer a myriad of opportunities to enjoy the pool from lap swimming, to exercise classes, swim lessons and a competitive swim team.
In addition, we hold special events like Scuba Santa and our regular Flick-n-Floats (family movie nights) in the pool; there is always something going on in aquatics!
Swimming Programs
S.K.I.P. - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 6-36 months)
These parent/child swimming lessons promote water enrichment and aquatic readiness activities. The child learns how to kick, scoop, back float, blow bubbles, and get their face wet; while the parent learns how to teach the child to be safe in the water. All children who are not potty trained MUST wear a swim diaper and a bathing suit or plastic pants. To receive the YMCA member rate, at least 1 participant (parent or child) must be a current YMCA member. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Pike - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 3-5)
This is the first level of the preschool swim lessons. Children use flotation and need to be comfortable without mom or dad in the pool. Primary skills taught include breathing, floating, kicking and paddling, as well as self confidence and safety. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Eel - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 3-5)
Children must be able to swim horizontally 10-15 yards with a noodle or up to 2 bubbles and be comfortable putting their face in the water. They should be confident floating on their back, with their ears submerged in the water, without the help of an instructor. They also need to be comfortable in deep water with flotation. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Ray - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 3-5)
Children must be confident swimming 10-15 yards on their front and back, without flotation or assistance from an instructor. They need to be able to submerge while blowing bubbles and be comfortable while being independent in deep water. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Starfish - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 3-5)
Children must be able to swim 25 yards without flotation on their front and 25 yards without flotation on their back. They must also know the basics of front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and elementary backstroke. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Polliwog - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 6+)
Children must be able to complete a 100 yard endurance swim, 50 yards of front crawl and back crawl and 25 yards of breaststroke, butterfly and sidestroke. Children will learn the basics of competitive swimming and basic water rescues, as well as increase endurance. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Guppy - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 6+)
This is for children who are still dependent on the use of flotation or are afraid of the water. Beginner skills such as breathing, kicking, floating, paddling and elementary backstroke are taught. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Minnow - 30 Minute Lessons
(ages 6+)
Children must be swimming 25 yards without flotation or assistance on the front and 15 yards without flotation or assistance on their backs. Children learn front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke, as well as improve strength and endurance. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Fish & Flying Fish - 45 Minute Lessons
(ages 6+)
Children must be able to swim 25 yards of both front and back crawl and be able to swim an endurance test of at least 50 yards. Children will improve upon their front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke techniques, as well as learn the basics of butterfly, sidestroke and diving. (See Program Guide for class times and prices.)
Aqua Combo
Uses a variety of group work and stations to create a workout as intense as you want. No swimming experience necessary. This class takes place in our Teaching Pool. Please see Pool Schedule for details.
Water Aerobics
“Not Your Grandmother’s Water Aerobics Class!!” High energy water aerobics classes designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, burn fat, increase strength and endurance, improve flexibility, range of motion and balance. Classes features include use of resistance training tools, such as water buoys, noodles and resistance tubing. There are shallow and deep water workouts and fun Friday water volleyball. These classes are meant to complement your fitness workouts at the Wallingford Family YMCA. No swimming experience necessary. This class is offered at different times in each of our pools. Please see Pool Schedule for details.
Adult Stretch & Play
Arthritic Stretch is a slower paced class that focuses on strength and resistance training, as well as improving balance, flexibility and range of motion. There is also a fun activity/game planned for each class. This class takes place in our Teaching Pool. Please see Pool Schedule for details.
SilverSneakers Splash®
Activate your aqua exercise urge for variety! Splash offers LOTS of fun and shallow water moves to improve agility, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. No swimming experience necessary. This class runs year round! This class consists of a 45 minute workout with 15 minutes of socializing. This class takes place in our Lap Pool. Please see Pool Schedule for details.
Wallingford Dolphins Swim Team
The Wallingford Family YMCA Dolphins Swim Team is a year-round competitive program serving those in the town of Wallingford and its surrounding communities by helping swimmers of all abilities reach his or her highest potential.
Organized and operated by the Aquatics Department at the Wallingford Family YMCA, the Dolphins apply the four YMCA Core Values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility to all aspects of the sport while also focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This program also instills commitment, dedication, teamwork & a love of swimming within each & every member of the team and builds a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy fitness habits.
The Dolphins Swim Team participates in YMCA competitions at the local, state, regional and national level. The team also competes as a part of the USA Swimming Association offering those swimmers who meet specific criteria the opportunity to swim at the local, regional, state, zone and national competitive level. Membership is required for all Dolphin Swim Team participants. Brand new swimmers looking to join the team must contact the WFYD Head Coach for an evaluation to be appropriately placed in a practice group.
For more information about the WFYD Swim Team, visit the Team Website, or contact Head Coach Alexandra Hunter.
Private, Semi-Private & Custom Group Lessons
This program is offered to those 3 years of age and older. Lessons can be purchased in blocks of six 30 minute classes or four 45 minute classes. Private lessons are a 1:1 student to instructor ratio. Semi-Private lessons are a 2:1 student to instructor ratio. Custom Group lessons can have 3-6 swimmers. Semi-Private and Custom Group lessons require all individuals to be approximately the same skill level. Please obtain a Private Lesson Request Form at the Welcome Center. This form needs to be completed and submitted to the Aquatics Director to begin the process of setting up this program.
Private
| Members | $150 |
| Program Members | $210 |
Semi-Private
| Members | $85 Per Swimmer |
| Program Members | $125 Per Swimmer |
Custom Group
| Members | $60 Per Swimmer |
| Program Members | $90 Per Swimmer |