We have a range of swimming classes to suit all abilities. Find out which class suits you using our class self assessment.
This is best done on a desktop computer.
YMCA Swimming Classes
Starfish
- Parent in water with child
- Parent/carer aquatic safety education
- Socialising with group activities
- Water exploration activities
- Buoyancy & floatation activities incorporating attempted movement towards target with & without aids
- Age Range
- 6 - 12 months
- Class Size
- 8:1
Periwinkle
- Parent in water with child
- Parent/carer aquatic safety education
- Comfortable & confident in an aquatic environment
- Independently follows simple requests
- Comfortable & confident submersion on request
- Age Range
- 1 - 2 years
- Class Size
- 8:1
Minnow
- Parent in water with child
- Buoyancy/floatation activities
- Introduction to kicking & arm movement
- Introduction to bubble blowing & kicking
- Deliberate movement towards a target
- Age Range
- 2 - 3 years
- Class Size
- 8:1
Tadpole
- Push & glide with bubbles
- Independent submersion with bubbles
- Aided jump & return to edge
- Extended arm paddle
- Aided kick on front & back
- Aided treading water
- Torpedo 3m
- Age Range
- 3 - 5 years
- Class Size
- 5:1
Goldfish
- Jump entry & return to edge
- Independent rollover
- Recover object from chest depth water
- Torpedo 3m
- Kick on back 5m
- Freestyle & Backstroke arms
- Tread water for 15 seconds
- Age Range
- 3 - 5 years
- Class Size
- 5:1
Flying Fish
- Step in entry & recover
- Freestyle & backstroke 10m
- Introduction to breaststroke, survival backstroke & butterfly kick
- Duck dive, swim underwater for 3m & recover an object
- Throw a buoyant aid & direct a partner to safety
- Age Range
- 3 - 5 years
- Class Size
- 5:1
Octopus
- Push & glide
- Kick on front & back with aid 5m
- Paddle & kick
- Torpedo 3m
- Treading water
- Age Range
- 5 years +
- Class Size
- 6:1
Sardine
- Jump entry into deep water & recover
- Kick on front with aid & side breathing 10m
- Kick on back 10m
- Backstroke, freestyle & torpedo 5m
- Float, scull & tread water for 30 seconds & signal for help
- Duck dive
- Age Range
- 5 years +
- Class Size
- 6:1
Salmon
- Seated dive
- Step in entry & recover
- Freestyle & backstroke 12m
- Survival backstroke with aid 5m
- Breaststroke kick with aid 5m
- Float, scull & tread water for 1 minute & signal for help
- Duck dive, swim underwater for 3m & recover object
- Age Range
- 5 years +
- Class Size
- 7:1
Tuna
- Stride entry
- Freestyle & backstroke 25m
- Survival backstroke 12m
- Breaststroke kick with breath 12m
- Forward somersault
- Crouch dive
- Age Range
- 5 years +
- Class Size
- 7:1
Dolphin
- Compact jump
- Freestyle & backstroke 50m
- Survival backstroke
- Breaststroke 25m
- Tumble turn
- Dolphin kick 12m
- Shallow dive
- Age Range
- 5 years +
- Class Size
- 8:1
Shark
- Feet first surface dive
- Freestyle & backstroke 100m
- Survival backstroke and breaststroke 50m
- Butterfly 15m
- Sidestroke 25m
- Using combination of strokes 400m swim
- Clothed swim, float, scull & tread water for 5 mins, remove clothes & swim for 5 mins
- Age Range
- 5 years +
- Class Size
- 8:1