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The Stamford Family YMCA Aquatics Program is divided into several different levels and is oriented toward student-centered learning. It is designed to insure the student's safety, provide for regular, progressive success, and make the learning process more enjoyable. Personal growth, stroke development, water games and sports, personal safety and rescue are incorporated into each level.
STINGRAY SWIMMING ACADEMY
This is a YMCA inspired swim lessons program designed for children 6 months and older. Classes range from parent and child swimming lessons through pre-swim team lessons. The Academy is broken into 6 groups:
1) Parent and Child Lessons (infants and toddlers)
2) Pre-School Swim Lessons (ages 3-5)
3) Youth Swimming Lessons (ages 6-11)
4) Teen Swimming Lessons (ages 12-18)
5) Pre-Swim Team (based on ability)
6) Adult Lessons (18 & over)
Instructors are trained and certified by the YMCA (YSL) to teach students how to be comfortable in water, learn proper stroke technique and become strong swimmers. Our swimming academy is inspired by the YMCA Swimming Lessons Curriculum and is specifically designed to inspire children to join our competitive swim team, The Stamford Stingrays.
PARENT & CHILD (AGES 6 - 35 MONTHS)
There are two levels in Parent & Child Swim Lessons. The purpose of Parent and Child swimming lessons is to make both parents and children comfortable in water. The child learns about a new environment, while the parent learns how to teach the child to be safe in water. Classes are designed so the child has fun while the parent urges the child to respond to simple commands that pertain to basic aquatic skills. Playing games and singing are an integral part of the class.
Parent & Child Aquatic Skills Taught
Alternating leg movement (Kicking)
Alternating arm movement (Scooping)
Supine Position (Lying Horizontal on back)
Prone Position (Lying Horizontal on front)
Bubble blowing (breath control)
Dipping face in water (based on student comfort; not mandatory)
Parent & Child Levels
INFANT (Inia): 6-24 months old
TODDLER (Perch): 24-36 months old
PRESCHOOL (AGES 3 - 5)
Preschool swim lessons are divided into 4 skill levels. The child’s skill level should be considered for placement, not just age. If you are uncertain about the appropriate class placement for your child, please reference the swim level descriptions, or ask a swim instructor to assess your child for class placement. All preschool classes are held in the shallow end of the pool.
PS BEGINNER- (PIKE 1)
PIKE 1 is for children ages 3-5 who are very new to swimming lessons, or are still struggling with the basic skills. Basic Skills: Entering the water without crying, alternating kicking motion, blowing bubbles, alternating arm motion. The main difference between Pike 1 and Pike 2 is that Pike 1 children are either first time swim lesson students, or are still very uncomfortable in the water and may be scared. Pike 1 children definitely wear large sized bubble floats.
PS BEGINNER- (PIKE 2)
PIKE 2 is still at the beginner level, however Pike 2’s are much more comfortable in the water and enjoy being at swim lessons. They are able to get their face wet and kick their legs properly and have no fear of swimming or being with a swim instructor. They still use bubbles, but may be using smaller sized ones. Pike 2’s can’t swim yet, but are usually children who have taken a few sessions worth of swim lessons already. For most Pike 2’s, they have been to swimming lessons before and understand the basic skills, but are still considered beginners because they are unable to swim yet.
PS ADVANCED - (RAY)
RAY is for students who have plenty of experience swimming and taking swim lessons. Rays are able to kick and paddle 5-10 yards independently. They are able to put their faces in the water, and dunk their heads below the surface. Rays are very happy in the pool and can easily swim around with a bubble on, or without the bubble. Please do not sign up a child for ray unless they have graduated Pike 1 and Pike 2, or have been evaluated by an aquatics department instructor and been instructed to enroll into advanced preschool lessons.
PRESCHOOL PRE-SWIM TEAM
Preschool aged children who are exceptionally advanced for either of the above 3 levels, are encouraged to enroll into preschool pre-swim team. In this level, children will be swimming in a lane, and completing full lengths of the pool. This class is designed to teach proper technique to young children early in their life, therefore giving them a jump-start to their swimming careers.
Children in this class are very strong swimmers, and may already be swimming independently without a bubble for up to one full length of the pool. If bubbles are used, they are shredded down t o just one small layer of floating material.
YOUTH (AGES 6 - 17)
There are four levels in the Youth Swimming Lessons program. Youth swimming lessons provide older children with a beginner program. There is also an advanced swimming program for older, swim team bound students looking to enhance their swimming abilities. If you are uncertain which level your child is, please reference swim level descriptions, or ask an instructor to assess your child for class placement.
YOUTH 1 - POLLIWOG
Children in POLLIWOG will wear a flotation device (bubble). Using bubbles, children will learn alternating arm strokes and flutter kick using kick boards and barbells over a distance of 10-15 yards. Children will also be introduced to paddling and kicking on their back with equipment. The curriculum includes bubble blowing, putting entire face in water (bobbing will be encouraged) and an introduction to floating in prone and supine positions (front and back).
YOUTH 2 - GUPPY
Children in GUPPY may wear a flotation device if needed (bubble), however, emphasis is without. Rotary Breathing is the primary skill in this level. This level focuses on Freestyle and Backstroke refinement. Teachers will help students achieve a streamline, horizontal position in the water for both freestyle and backstroke. By the end of this section, students must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle demonstrating RHYTHMIC breathing and 10-15 Yards of backstroke.
YOUTH 3 - MINNOW
Child is no longer allowed to use bubble during swim lessons. However, unfixed flotation equipment such as kickboards and barbells are used. This class is the beginning of the children swimming in a lane, instead of a small portion of the pool. Class is conducted on a 25 yard basis, in a lane rather than a corner or a wall. In this level, students must have very good freestyle and backstroke because they will be swimming up to 50 yards continuously using both freestyle and backstroke the entire distance of the pool. In this level, Instructors will also introduce breaststroke, the 3rd of 4 competitive swimming strokes. After learning breaststroke, which may take several weeks.
YOUTH 4 - FLYING FISH
Only students with very strong swimming ability are allowed to enroll into FLYING FISH. This class is for experienced swimmers who are able to swim freestyle with rotary breathing and proper backstroke 50-100 yards continuously. In this class, breaststroke will be refined as well as an introduction to butterfly, the final of the 4 competitive swimming strokes. Instructors will also teach diving and flip turns for freestyle.
TEEN CLASSES
If a child has reached 12 years old, and still does not know how to swim, we have created a special program for kids of that age group. In the past, all kids ages 6 and up were lumped into one group for swimming lessons called “youth”. However, we have discovered that there are many children who are ages 12 and up who need beginner level swim instruction, and should not be mixed in with smaller children of the 6, 7, 8 age group. Since older children learn differently than small children, this session we have decided to separate bigger kids from the younger kids.
TEEN 1 – BEGINNER
This class is for kids age 12+up who have no swimming skills. Designed for kids who are scared of swimming, or have no idea how to swim, Teen Beginner helps the older children who have not figured it out yet. Small sized classes, with highly trained instructors, will help your teen-aged child finally become a confident swimmer!
TEEN 2 – INTERMEDIATE
This class is for kids age 12+up who have some swimming ability and can almost swim. Teenagers in this level should not have any fear of swimming, and be comfortable in water. Trained instructors, in small class sizes, will help these teen-agers jump to the next level in their swimming life by teaching proper technique and building their stamina for longer, more proficient swimming. In order to enroll for this class, students should be able to swim already, but may be lacking the proper technique. If your teen ager cannot swim at all, please refer to the TEEN 1 BEGINNER class.
PRE-SWIM TEAM- (JUNIOR STINGRAYS)
JUNIOR STINGRAYS
Pre-swim team is a program designed to prepare students for the Stingray Swim team. This class meets twice per week and is the most advanced class in our swimming school. This program includes refinement of the butterfly stroke breaststroke. Students will practice all four strokes preparing them to join the Stamford YMCA Stingrays, our competitive swimming team. In this class, students will practice more advanced racing techniques, underwater streamlining, breaststroke pullouts, starts, relay transitions and proper flip turns for each racing stroke. Not only will this class serve as a place to learn, but students will begin to train by swimming laps and conditioning for the sport of swimming to improve fitness. You cannot enroll into this class unless you are approved to do so by an instructor.
ADULT CLASSES
ADULT BEGINNER (LEVEL 1)
This class is for beginner adults who are new to swimming and may have a fear of swimming. Adults in level one may also be comfortable in water, however have little to no technique or ability to float, glide or swim. Adult beginners range from having a fear of water to people who love water. The goal of this class is to teach the basics including:
-Floating
-Face and head immersion
-Alternating flutter kick
-Alternating arm strokes
-Rhythmic breathing
ADULT INTERMEDIATE (LEVEL 2)
Adult Level 2 iis designed for swimmers who have some swimming ability, and are comfortable in the water. Please see the skills listed in level 1 to establish a baseline to determine if you are ready for Level 2. Swimmers who are interested in Level 2 should already be able to complete skills taught in the previous level, or have been able to demonstrate to an instructor that Level 1 is too easy and that the student can benefit only from more advanced skills. The primary component of level 2 is to teach the proper technique for freestyle (front crawl). Skills taught include:
-Streamlining (prone and supine positions)
-Rotary breathing
-25-50 yards freestyle
-Backstroke
-Lap swimming
ADULT ADVANCED (LEVEL 3)
Students in Adult Level 3 must be proficient in freestyle (front crawl) no exceptions. Adult level 3 is for strong swimmers seeking advanced stroke technique and cardiovascular training. This class is designed to give students a chance to improve their stroke, as well as be given small to medium size swimming workouts to prepare for races and triathlons.
PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS
For a more focused lesson, with individualized attention, we offer private swim lessons for students of any age. Private swim lessons may be scheduled at your convenience, in accordance with the pool schedule. Private swim lessons come in one of two options:
One on One: One teacher, working with one student, for thirty minutes.
One on Two: One teacher working with two students, for 45 minutes. In order to be eligible for this lesson the students must have the same swimming ability.
Lessons are sold in packages of five. Please ask the desk for a private swim lesson request form to schedule a set of private swim lessons.
