Parent/Child (6 mo - 4 yrs)
The American Red Cross parent/child program is a great way to introduce aquatic safety skills and water enjoyment for both parent and child. Instructors guide parents in teaching their children fundamental skills.

Parents learn basic aquatic safety. The adult and child have fun through songs and games in the water. Goals in this level are to provide experiences and activities for parents and children to learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner, feel comfortable in the water, explore buoyancy and body positions, as well as safe ways to submerge. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: Child must be at least 6 months by the first day of class. Infants must have Tight-fitting rubber or plastic pants.

Preschool (3 - 5 yrs)
Uptown location. Preschool age children can sign up for level 1 at Downtown or Midtown locations.

The Preschool Program provides children their first water experience without parental assistance in a safe, fun and positive atmosphere. This class will encourages movement and confidence in kids to propel themselves with and without floatation on front and back. Skills covered include many from Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills, though are tailored to the Preschool age. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: All children must be potty-trained before entering this preschool program.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
The purpose of this class is to help children feel comfortable in the water without a parent. Children will learn to submerge their face, open eyes underwater to pick up submerged objects, blow bubbles and float and swim with support. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: Children must be potty-trained to enter this class. Children must be at least 3 years of age by the first day of class.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
This class teaches students primary swimming skills. Children will learn to submerge completely, bob, float, kick, swim independently, entry in the water by jumping, opening eyes underwater, front and back glides and introduction into rhythmic breathing. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: To enter the class, students must be comfortable in the water and be able to safely enter and exit the water, bob to their chins, and float with support.

Level 3: Stroke Development
This class develops swimming skills by introducing the front crawl, back crawl, and butterfly kick. Treading water, Rhythmic and rotary breathing and deep water floating are also explored. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites: A mastery of level 2 skills or equivalent including independent floating and swimming 5 yards on their front and back.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement
This class refines and develops confidence in the front and back crawl, while introducing elementary backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and work on treading water using multiple kicks. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites: Students must be able to jump into deep water, tread water, and swim 15 yards of front and back crawl.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement
This class further refines the competitive and non-competitive strokes over greater distances. Students also learn to head and feet first surface dives and perform open and flip turns. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites: Students must be able to tread water, swim breaststroke and elementary backstroke for 15 yards, and front and back crawl for 25 yards before entering this level.

Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
This class continues to refine strokes over even greater distances while educating students on principles of water fitness and designing workouts. This class also introduces basic lifesaving skills. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites: Students must be able to treading water using multiple kicks, swimming breaststroke and elementary backstroke for 25 yards and front and back crawl for 50 yards.

Adult Lessons

Adult classes are designed for people age 13 and older. Adult lessons are available in a group s etting for beginners and also available in private or semi-private lessons. We can accommodate many common swimming needs from comfort in the water to advanced technique skills. Give us a call and we will find a solution to your swimming needs.

Adult Lessons - Beginner (Downtown and Uptown)
Learn how to float, submerge completely, propel themselves through the water on both the front and the back, and the beginnings of basic strokes. Limit 6 per class. Class legnth: 40 minutes.

Adult Lessons All Levels (Midtown)
Learn how to float, submerge completely, propel themselves through the water on both the front and the back, and the beginnings of basic strokes and beyond. Limit 6 per class. Class legnth: 30 minutes.

Adult Lessons - Intermediate/Advanced (Uptown)
This class is designed to go beyond the beginner class. Refine stroke basics and introduce other strokes. Class legnth: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites: Must be comfortable in water and have completed adult beginner skills or equivalent.

Adult Lessons - Individual/Private Lessons
Class legnth: 30-60 minutes depending on your goals. Please see Private Swim Lessons for more information.

Policies

Cancellations/Withdraws/Missed Classes

• In order to maintain a positive relationship between the instructor and the class participants, missed classes are unable to be made-up. We cannot credit or pro-rate missed classes.
• In order to ensure a positive group experience, we are committed to running as many classes as possible. However, we reserve the right to cancel any class. Every effort will be made to accommodate your child in another class prior to the start of the session.
• You may withdraw from a class prior to the start of the session. We will credit you for a future session.
• If you must withdraw from a class after the start of a session, a credit or refund will only be given with written confirmation of a medical condition that prohibits participation in the class.
• To obtain a credit or refund, you are required to fill out the Aquatics Credit/Refund form located at the front desk at each facility. A receipt is required to process all requests. Please note special circumstances or requests on the form.

Before Each Lesson

• Arrive early. Allow at least 10 minutes prior to the start of class to help you find parking get into the facility and assist your child into swimming attire.
• Please bring a swimsuit & a dry towel for your child.
• Clothes, street shoes, and other personal items can be stored in the locker rooms. Please bring your own lock and leave your valuables at home. Towels and locker rentals are available at each facility.
• Please make sure that your child uses the restroom and showers with soap before entering the pool.
• Street shoes are not permitted in the pool area. Flip-flop type of pool footwear is permitted.

Parent/Guardian Reminders

• The most important role of a parent or guardian during swimming lessons is to be positive and patient with your swimmer's success. There is no set pace for your child's swimming improvement.
• To maintain quality class management, parents are asked to sit and observe lessons from the designated seating areas located at each facility.
• If you have questions about your child's progress, please approach the instructor before or after the class has finished. They will be happy to answer any of your questions or will direct you to someone on staff that can assist you. Please direct any non-lesson related questions to the lifeguard(s) on duty.
• Comment cards are available at the front desk if you would prefer to ask a general question and remain anonymous.
• Please give us feedback. Let us know how we are doing. What do you like about our program? How can we improve? Please call, email, leave a comment card or talk to the supervisor on deck. Thank you for you support!

Pricing & Registration Instructions

How to Register

You can register in one of the following ways:

1. Online through Membership Accounts Online (YWCA Members only).
2. In person at the Hospitality Desk of your YWCA of Minneapolis location.
3. Over the phone (Have your credit card information handy and call the Hospitality Desk of your YWCA of Minneapolis location).

Note: You cannot register until registration has opened for a session.

Registration Policies

• Payment is due at time of registration.
• Register for group classes early; space is limited and is first come first serve.
• Registration is open through the first week of classes. No additions will be made once registration is closed.
• Classes that do not have a minimum of 3 students registered prior to start of class will be canceled. Participants will be notified prior to the class.
• Midtown classes:
  For accuracy please register by the class code.
  The first two digits of the code represent the swim class level.
      pc = parent/child class
      12 = level one & two classes
      03 = level three classes
      456 = level four, five and six classes
  

Schedules for 2007

Click on the location name in the right-hand column to see the session schedule for that location.