The YMCA has been teaching youth and adults how to swim for over 100 years. YMCA swim lessons teach safety and responsibility around the water. Participants gain confidence and self esteem as they work to become better, safer swimmers.

Registration is available either online or at the YMCA of Greater Richmond. Where online registration is not available, you may sign up at the branch.

To learn more about youth and adult swim lessons, visit the branch youth and adult swim lessons pages by clicking the links on the right.

PARENT / CHILD SWIM LESSONS (ages 6 months - 3 years)
You and your six-month to three-year-old child will love these fun, game-filled, half-hour lessons. Positive reinforcement helps your child enjoy the water, never forcing them to submerge. This is an excellent introduction to the pool and our preschool swim lessons.

PRESCHOOL SWIM LESSONS (ages 3 - 5)
Preschool swim lessons teach fundamental swimming skills to children ages 3-5. Basic skills and water safety are taught throughout the course as children are encouraged to interact with instructors in a relaxed and fun environment. Participants are grouped into classes by ability, which include the following levels: Pike (beginner), Eel (advanced beginner), Ray (intermediate), and Starfish (advanced). Read more about each swim lessons level on our Swim Lessons Levels page.

YOUTH SWIM LESSONS (ages 6 - 12)
Beginners focus on developing freestyle and proper rotary breathing, while advanced levels focus on other skills such as backstroke. This progressive program for children ages 6-12 is divided into six levels based on participant ability. These include Polliwog (beginner), Guppy (advanced beginner), Minnow (intermediate), Fish (advanced intermediate), Flying Fish (advanced) and Shark (most advanced). Read more about each swim lessons level on our Swim Lessons Levels page.

TEEN SWIM LESSONS (ages 13 - 17) / ADULT SWIM LESSONS (18 and up)
It's never too late to learn how to swim or to brush up on your technique. Our adult swim lesson participants are grouped by ability to ensure fundamental swimming techniques are mastered before advancing to more difficult classes. We have beginner and intermediate classes for participants ages 13 and up.

PRIVATE LESSONS (all ages)
One-on-one instruction for swimmers at all levels and ages. Learn specific skills that are geared to individual needs. Lesson times are set to accommodate swimmer's schedule. Each participant will receive eight 30-minute sessions.