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YMCA OF MONTCLAIR

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      • Lap Swim & Water Exercises
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×
  • Programs & Classes
    • Swim
      • Lap Swim & Water Exercises
      • Group Swim Lessons
      • Private Swim Lessons
      • Lifeguard Training & Certifications
      • Dolphins Swim Team
      • Park Street Pool Schedule
    • Child Care
      • Child Watch
      • Early Learning Center
      • Preschool Readiness
      • School Age Care
      • Staycation
      • Kids Night Out
        • An Evening With…
    • Kids & Family
      • Camps
      • Geyer Arts & Dance
      • Geyer Gym & Sports
      • Teens
      • Adventure Guides
      • Birthday Parties
    • Healthy Living
      • Group Exercise Class
      • Personal Training
      • Adult Fitness
      • Youth Fitness
      • Y360 Virtual Fitness
      • Chronic Disease Programs
    • Sports & Recreation
      • Adult Youth Family Sports Recreation
      • Park Youth Sports
      • Panthers Travel Basketball Team
      • Park Street Gym Schedule
  • Membership
    • Rates and Membership Options
    • Special Memberships
    • Policies
    • Nationwide Membership
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Locations
    • Geyer Family YMCA
    • Park Street YMCA
    • YMCA Outdoor Education Center
  • Community
    • Community Impact
    • News and Announcements
    • Volunteer

Swim Lessons

EMPOWER WITH EVERY STROKE
EMPOWER WITH EVERY STROKE

Y Swim Lesson (YSL)

We offer the National YMCA Swim Lesson Curriculum year-round for swimmers of all ages and skill levels.

YMCA swim lessons emphasize water safety, skill and stroke development. In stages 1-3 students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills —swim, float, swim and jump, push, turn, grab.

Having mastered the fundamentals, students in stages 4-6, learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that prevent chronic disease, increase social, emotional and cognitive well-being, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

YMCA swim lessons follow the National YMCA's child-to-instructor ratio to ensure plenty of time in the water. We strive to foster a student centered and caring atmosphere with well-trained professionals.

POOL SCHEDULE

Park Street YMCA

SWIM STAGES

Stage Descriptions

POOL POLICIES

Courtesy Matters

  • - Swim at Geyer
  • Parent and Child
  • Preschool and School Age
  • Geyer Private and Semi Lessons
  • Swim at Park
  • School Age
  • Clubs and Clinics
  • Adult Lessons and Clinics
  • Park Private and Semi Lessons

SWIM AT GEYER FAMILY YMCA

PARENT/CHILD

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.

STAGE A
STAGE B
STAGE A & B
STAGE B+
STAGE A

WATER DISCOVERY

Ages 6 – 18 months

With a parent or caregiver, infants and toddlers are introduced to the aquatic environment through exploration.

Children are required to wear a swim diaper if not potty trained.

STAGE B

WATER EXPLORATION

Ages 18 – 36 months

A parent or caregiver accompanies children in this class where toddlers explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles and fundamental water safety skills. Toddlers should be comfortable entering and exiting the pool with the adult and be able to respond to verbal cues.

Children are required to wear a swim diaper if not potty trained.

STAGE A & B

WATER DISCOVERY AND WATER EXPLORATION

Ages 6 - 36 months

A combo class allows infants and toddlers to work with their caregiver and practice different ways to move through the water. Included are floating, blowing bubbles, using different body parts and fundamental water safety skills.

Children are required to wear a swim diaper if not potty trained.

STAGE B+

WATER EXPLORATION (Leap Frog)

Ages 3 – 4 years 

Starting out as a parent/child class, toddlers are transitioned to a child only level. The parent or caregiver accompanies the child for the first few classes where the focus is on water adjustments and beginning swimming skills. The child will alternate between working with the adult and with one of the instructors. The goal is to slowly have the parent participation phased out (from being in the pool to sitting on the benches in the pool area to waiting outside in the pool hallway or observation area).

Children are required to wear a swim diaper if not potty trained.

REGISTER

PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE

SWIM BASICS CHILD ONLY Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills:

  • SWIM, FLOAT, SWIM—sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide, and exit;
  • JUMP, PUSH, TURN, GRAB 
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
STAGE 4
MISSION SWIM POSSIBLE
STAGE 1

WATER ACCLIMATION

Preschool Ages 3-5 / School Ages  6-9

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

STAGE 2

WATER MOVEMENT

Preschool Ages 3-5 / School Ages  6-9

Children focus on body position and control, directional change and forward movement in the water. Stage 2 swimmers continue to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

STAGE 3

WATER STAMINA

Preschool Ages 3-5 / School Ages  6-9

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. Prerequisite - Teacher recommendation or Aquatics Office approval.

STAGE 4

WATER STROKE INTRODUCTION

Preschool Ages 3-5 / School Ages  6-9

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. Prerequisite - Teacher recommendation or Aquatics Office approval.

MISSION SWIM POSSIBLE

YSL SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM FOR STAGES 1-4

Preschool Ages 3-5 / School Ages  6-9

Children with special needs of all aquatic abilities will learn the skills to be safe and comfortable in and around water. Children work at their own pace on basic aquatic skills.

REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL
REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE

CHILDREN PRIVATE, SEMI-PRIVATE AND EXTENDED LESSONS

Children who want to enhance specific water skills, or those with busy family schedules can take Private or Semi-Private swim lessons at the Geyer Family YMCA. Both options offer seven classes per session and are scheduled directly with the Geyer Aquatics Department, allowing the student flexibility on timing. Private lessons offer a one-to-one instructor/student ratio, with personalized attention targeting the student’s specific needs. The individual attention provides enthusiastic swimmers the opportunity to brush up on previously learned skills or master new ones in short order.

Sometimes it’s better with a buddy! Semi-private lessons are for two children working with one instructor where they can make significant progress in this smaller class setting. To ensure both students realize maximum benefits, they must be at the same swim level. If only one student attends a scheduled Semi-Private class, it counts as a class for the absent student as well; a private make-up class will not be offered. Call 973-783-7640 or ask for information at the Welcome Center.

PRIVATE LESSONS

$260

for 7 lessons

Classes per session: 7

Class Length: 30 minutes

Membership Required

SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS

$350 ($175 per child)

for 7 lessons

Classes per session: 7

Class Length: 30 minutes

Membership Required

SWIM AT PARK STREET YMCA

SCHOOL AGE

Swim lessons for school age children are available from 6 years and up for the following classes:

STAGE 1
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
STAGE 4
STAGE 5
STAGE 6
STAGE 1

WATER ACCLIMATION

Ages  6-11

Water Acclimation increases students’ comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance. In this child only class, instructors will help develop your child’s basic skills to propel and glide through the water with assistance; teach participants about basic water safety and how to be responsible for their own decisions to help keep them safe.

STAGE 2

WATER MOVEMENT

Ages  6-11

In the Water Movement Stage, students focus on forward movement in the water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently. Milestones worked on in this stage are: explore the aquatic environment using personal skills without instructor help; develop basic skills to propel and glide through the water without instructor help and about basic water safety and how to be responsible for their own decisions to help keep them safe.

STAGE 3

WATER STAMINA

Ages  6-11

The Water Stamina Stage develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages. Milestones worked on in this stage include: integrating arm action, leg action and rhythmic breathing in back and front glides; developing forward movement on the front and back and practicing skills and safety techniques in deep water.

STAGE 4

WATER STROKE INTRODUCTION

Ages  6-11

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.

STAGE 5

STROKE DEVELOPMENT

Ages  6-16

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.

STAGE 6

STROKE MECHANICS

Ages  6-16

In Stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

BARRACUDA CLUB
PORPOISE CLUB
ADVANCED STROKE CLINIC 
TWEEN SWIM LESSONS
MARLINS PRELIFEGUARD PREP
BARRACUDA CLUB

BARRACUDA CLUB

Ages  8-16

As an introduction to a swim workout, the Barracuda Club program is comprised of warm-up, endurance drills and cool down while using the pace clock with the opportunity to use equipment such as fins, pull-buoys and paddles. Prerequisite Successful completion of Stages 1 thru 6.

PORPOISE CLUB

PORPOISE CLUB

Ages  8-16

Focus in the Porpoise Club is on stroke refinement aimed at efficiency and power to improve racing skills such as streamlines, pull-outs and dives. Prerequisite Successful completion of Stages 1 thru 6.

ADVANCED STROKE CLINIC 

ADVANCED STROKE CLINIC 

Ages  6-11

Advanced Stroke Clinic (ASC) is a class that commits to one particular stroke each class meeting. All strokes will be covered during the session. Focus is on technique while building endurance for efficient swimming. It is ideal for, but not limited to, participants who are interested in joining our Dolphins Swim Team. Requirements Successful completion of stages 1 thru 6 and at least one Porpoise and one Barracuda session.

TWEEN SWIM LESSONS

TWEEN SWIM LESSONS

Ages  11-17

Tween Swim is a class exclusively for youth 11 years and up who are learning how to swim. This class will increase their confidence, while developing basic water skills in a pleasant learning environment with peers of the same age group.

MARLINS PRELIFEGUARD PREP

MARLINS PRELIFEGUARD PREP

Ages  13+

Designed to prepare Members interested in becoming lifeguards, Marlins Club focuses on the importance of safety in and around an aquatic environment, while training participants in the necessary techniques and mechanics of water rescue. Successful completion will qualify participants to register for one of our American Red Cross Lifeguard Classes.

REGISTER

NEW Aquatics Inclusion Class Ages 8-Adult

This unique program is designed exclusively for children & adults with physical and developmental disabilities. With a maximum of two participants per instructor, this program aims to meet the
safety and swim development of each participant. Class will meet once a week and small class ratios will ensure that each class is designed specifically to meet the needs of each participant.

ADULT SWIM LESSONS AND CLINICS

ADULT SWIM LESSONS
ADULT SWIM CLINIC
ADULT SWIM LESSONS

Small Pool

Swim lessons are not just for kids! Adults who want to learn to swim or want to refresh their skills can take lessons at the Y; all levels are welcome. Beginners and those wanting to refresh or broaden their skills have a variety of options to accommodate busy schedules. Patient, certified instructors will evaluate your level at the first class and place you in the appropriate group. Don’t let fear stand the way of learning this valuable life skill.

ADULT SWIM CLINIC

Large Pool

Experienced adult swimmers can improve endurance and increase their distance swimming. Participants should be comfortable swimming in deep water. 

Membership Required

REGISTER FOR LESSONS
REGISTER FOR CLINIC

ADULT PRIVATE, SEMI-PRIVATE AND EXTENDED LESSONS

Call 973-744-3400 or ask for information at the Welcome Center. Private lessons request forms are available at the Welcome Center. 

PRIVATE LESSONS

$150

3/30 min. lessons

$270

6/30 min. lessons

We provide one-on-one personal instruction to better accommodate members' busy schedules. 

Membership Required

SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS

$80 per person

3/30 min. lessons

$150 per person

6/30 min. lessons

Two to three students at the same swim level can pair up with one instructor for more personalized and targeted attention. 

Membership Required

PRIVATE LESSONS WITH MASTER INSTRUCTOR

$180

3/30 min. lessons

$330

6/30 min. lessons

$225

3/45 min. lessons

$420

6/45 min. lessons

Private lessons are available with the Swim Team Coaches, Aquatics Director or highly experienced certified swim instructors. 

Membership Required

New Swim Lesson Participants

In order to be placed in the correct swim stage, with the exception of those registering for Stage 1, new students must be evaluated. Current YMCA members must register in person or online for all programs. Community registrants must register in person at the Park Street YMCA facility. Early registration is encouraged as classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Swim Level Evaluation: By Appointment Only. Please contact the Welcome Center.

Attendance is important! Class Make Up Policy

In order to achieve the greatest benefit from swim lessons, attendance at every class is highly recommended. For safety reasons, make up classes are not available due to instructor/student ratio requirements. Refunds and credits will not be issued due to absences.

Y Logo in white
Park Street YMCA
973-744-3400
25 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Geyer Family YMCA
973-783-7640
159 Glenridge Ave. Montclair, NJ 07042
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Since 1891, the YMCA of Montclair works to empower young people, improve health and well-being, and inspire action in and across our community.
Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford.