Swim

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is dedicated to helping everyone have the necessary capabilities to be strong, confident swimmers.

We offer programs and various schedules for every age, skill level, and interest. Whether you want to introduce your child to the joys of swimming, yearn to become more confident in the water, or learn a new swim stroke, we’ve got you covered!

Swim Starters >

No prerequisites are needed to register for this class. 

In Swim Starters, Infants and toddlers, accompanied by a parent, learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences. Parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.

Swim Starters A:  Parent/Child

Students must be able to respond to verbal cues and jump on land to register for this class.

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

Swim Starters B:  Parent/Child

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

Swim Basics >

In Swim Basics, students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills: Swim, float, swim and jump, push, turn, and grab.

Swim Basics 1:  Preschool, School Age, Teen/Adult

Preschool: Students must be able to work with an instructor without a parent to register for this class

School Age: Students must be able to respond to verbal cues and be able to work with an instructor without a parent to register for this class

Teen/Adult: Students must be able to respond to verbal cues to register for this class. 

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.

Swim Basics 2:  Preschool, School Age, Teen/Adult

Students must be able to go underwater voluntarily to register for this class.  

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

Swim Basics 3:  Preschool, School Age, Teen/Adult

Students must be able to go underwater voluntarily and front and back float on his or her own to register for this class.

In this stage, 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.

The small group lesson format is perfect for the child who learns better in a more intimate setting.  We blend what we do best in group and private lessons to give your child more time in the water and with their instructor.

Swim Strokes >

Having mastered the fundamentals, students in Swim Strokes will 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.

Swim Strokes 4:  Preschool, School Age, Teen/Adult

To register for this class, students must be able to swim 10 – 15 yards on their stomachs and backs. 

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

Swim Strokes 5:  School Age, Teen/Adult

To register for this class, students must be able to swim 15 yards of front and back crawl and tread water for 1 minute.

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

Swim Strokes 6:  School Age, Teen/Adult

To register for this class, students must be able to swim 25 yards of front crawl and back crawl, tread water for a minute, and have some knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly.

In this stage, students refine stroke techniques on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Swim Lessons

Swim teams at the Y are designed for all levels of ability. They’re a great way to make friends, have fun, and enjoy healthy competition.

• Younger swimmers are introduced to the team environment and learn all four competitive strokes
• More experienced swimmers develop their technique and endurance level
• All swimmers develop the values of goal setting, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and hard work
• Must be able to swim the length of the pool comfortably

Swim Teams

Participants will learn competitive swimming techniques, improve stroke technique, improve starts and turns, and improve speed and endurance. Our Swim Clinics are excellent preparation for swim team tryouts.

Swim Lessons/Clinics

Lap swim provides an opportunity for swimmers to work at their own pace and produces a full body workout suitable for adults of any age. Benefits of lap swim include:

• Increased muscle strength, posture and balance
• Enhanced sense of well-being, mood, and sleep quality
• Greater mobility and flexibility of joints
• Improved endurance and fitness
• Relief for stiff joints and relaxation for sore muscles
• Reduced pain and fatigue

Reservation tool

A program by the United Masters Swimming, the USMS provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics, and workshops for adults 18 years and older. Whether you swim for physical fitness benefits or are a competitive swimmer, you can improve your stroke technique and physical fitness in this program. All skill levels are welcome. Registration is ongoing.

Masters Swim

The Y is committed to a safe aquatic environment by training lifeguards with life-saving skills. Our comprehensive course, for ages 15 and up, covers water rescue, safety, and hazard prevention. Certification includes 25 hours of in-person training (pool and classroom) and additional online learning. Active participation is required to pass exams and earn certification. Upon successful completion, participants are qualified to work as a certified lifeguard at any of the Y's 27 pools and waterparks, or other aquatics facilities. Certification is free for those who are hired as lifeguards at the Y. 

Lifeguard Interest Form

Upon completing this course, instructors will be able to identify key components of the YMCA Swim Lessons continuum, demonstrate effective teaching behaviors, maintain an inclusive and safe learning environment, and use techniques that break down skill progression for swimmers at any age or stage.

Swim Instructor Training

Our pools and water parks are the perfect spots to jump, swim, and splash the days away. Y membership gives access to all our indoor & outdoor pools, splash pads, water slides, kiddie pools, and waterfront swim facilities—explore the many options and amenities.

Pool & water park amenities

LEARN FROM TALENTED SWIM COACHES
Whether you are interested in getting comfortable in the water for the first time, improving your form, or swimming faster, we can develop a program to suit your needs.

Semi-private lessons are great for couples or friends who want to learn to swim together. Private lessons are perfect for those who prefer one-on-one attention. An instructor will work with you to determine the best path to help you achieve your personal goals.

Fill out the form below or contact our Sales and Service staff at your center to learn more about children and adult private swim lessons.

Private Swim Lessons Form