Overview

With our indoor pool, lessons are available year-round, preparing your child for a safe summer on our Alexandria area lakes. For 15 years, the Y has been our community's trusted place to create strong, confident swimmers.

YMCA Group Swim Lessons use a progressive, skill-based approach that supports every swimmer's development. We offer lessons for both preschool and school-age children, with small class sizes that provide personalized instruction and allow each participant to build confidence and learn at their own pace.

Private swim lessons are available year-round for those who want to work on advanced skills or learn basic skills with one-on-one attention. Participants work at their own pace and set lesson times according to their schedule.

Build your child's confidence and water safety skills at the Alexandria Area YMCA. Our experienced instructors use a safety-first approach, allowing children to learn and progress at their own comfortable pace.

The YMCA has been teaching swim lessons for more than 100 years and we're committed to helping kids, adults, and families become strong, confident swimmers!

Additional Information

Session Details

• Group Swim Lessons: Our next session of group lessons begins on January 5th.
• Private Swim Lessons: One-on-One Lessons for Ages 3 to 14.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Fitness Swimmer: Beginning January 2026.

Level Descriptions & Prerequisites

• Parent & Child Aquatics:
  • Ages 6 months - 3 years.
  • Children must wear a swim diaper.
  • Builds basic water skills for both parents and children, helping infants and young children ages 6 months to about 3 years become comfortable in the water, so they are willing and ready to learn to swim. These basic skills include adjusting to the water environment, showing comfort while maintaining a front or back position in the water, and demonstrating breath control, including blowing bubbles or voluntarily submerging under water.
• Preschool Aquatics Level 1:
  • Ages 3 - 5 years.
  • Prerequisites: Child must be able to stand in the shallow end of the pool (depth = 2 feet 6 inches).
  • Children must wear a swim diaper if not toilet-trained.
  • Introduces children to the water by focusing on basic aquatic skills, safety practices, and building comfort in the pool. Swimmers begin developing positive attitudes toward the water while learning foundational skills they'll continue to strengthen in Levels 2 and 3, and later in Learn-to-Swim.
• Preschool Aquatics Level 2:
  • Ages 3 - 5 years.
  • Prerequisites: Successful completion of Preschool Aquatics Level 1.
  • Builds on the foundation from Level 1 by encouraging children to perform skills more independently and with greater control. Swimmers begin practicing basic aquatic locomotion skills, using alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on both the front and back. They work toward longer distances, greater endurance, and exploring slightly deeper water. This level also reinforces water safety practices while preparing children for stroke development in future levels.
• Preschool Aquatics Level 3:
  • Ages 3 - 5 years.
  • Prerequisites: Successful completion of Preschool Aquatics Level 2.
  • Must be school age (6 years old) to move to Learn to Swim Levels. After completing all Preschool Aquatics levels, swimmers should enroll in Learn-to-Swim Level 2.
  • Focuses on building proficiency and confidence in skills learned from earlier levels. Children practice independently, with increased distances, endurance, and refinement to improve coordination and control. Swimmers work on combining arm and leg actions with greater efficiency while continuing to develop foundational stroke readiness. New water safety topics are introduced, and previously learned safety skills are reinforced to help children become safer and more confident around the water.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 1: Intro to Water Skills:
  • Ages 6 - 12 years.
  • Prerequisites: for children who are not yet able/comfortable submerging underwater.
  • Introduces participants to the water through basic aquatic skills, safety practices, and developing comfort and confidence. Swimmers begin building positive attitudes, safe habits, and foundational swimming techniques that they will continue to strengthen in higher levels. Many of the skills in this level overlap with Preschool Aquatics Levels 1 and 2, creating a smooth transition for children advancing into the Learn-to-Swim program.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatics Skills:
  • Ages 6 - 12 years.
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 1.
  • Focuses on building confidence with fundamental skills while introducing true independent movement in the water. Participants practice gliding, floating without support, and recovering to a vertical position. They also develop alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on both the front and back, creating a strong foundation for future strokes. Many of the skills in this level overlap with Preschool Aquatics Level 3, ensuring a smooth progression. New water safety topics are introduced, while previously learned safety skills are reinforced.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 3: Stroke Development:
  • Ages 6 - 12 years.
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 2. Must be able to float on front and back independently for 10 seconds to enroll.
  • Builds greater proficiency and endurance through guided practice of previously learned skills. Participants are introduced to survival floating, front crawl, and elementary backstroke at a beginning level. They also learn the scissors and dolphin kicks, practice longer durations of treading water, and are introduced to safe headfirst entries from a seated position (in water at least 9 feet deep). As in all levels, water safety is reinforced with both new and previously introduced topics. Successful completion of this level means participants have achieved basic water competency in a pool setting.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 4: Stroke Improvement:
  • Ages 6 - 12 years.
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 3. Must be able to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke independently 15 yards to enroll.
  • Focuses on improving technique, endurance, and stroke proficiency. Participants build on the strokes learned in Level 3 (front crawl and elementary backstroke) by swimming longer distances with greater skill. They combine arm and leg actions to perform a rudimentary sidestroke and begin learning the breaststroke. Back crawl and butterfly are introduced, along with the fundamentals of a simple open turn at the wall, preparing participants for more advanced swimming and stroke development.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 5: Stroke Refinement:
  • Ages 6 - 12 years.
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 4. Must be able to swim front crawl and back crawl for 25 yards to enroll.
  • Focuses on refining technique and building endurance across all six strokes: front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke. Participants practice swimming longer distances with improved efficiency and learn to perform flip turns on both the front and back, preparing them for advanced swimming and competitive skill development.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Fitness Swimmer:
  • Ages 6 - 12 years.
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 5. Must be able to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke for 50 yards to enroll.
  • Builds endurance and refines front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, butterfly, and sidestroke. Introduces butterfly and breaststroke turns, feet-first surface dive, retrieval of objects from deep water, and personal water safety. After completing Learn-to-Swim Level 6, participants are encouraged to continue their aquatic journey by enrolling in Swim Instructor Aide and Junior Lifeguarding courses to further develop their skills, leadership, and water safety knowledge.

Why Swim Lessons are Essential for Minnesota Kids

• Drowning Prevention: Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds, often silently and without warning. The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of death for kids, ages 1-4, and it's the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5-14. Swim lessons significantly reduce the risk of drowning by teaching children how to float, tread water, and exit a pool or lake safely.
• Minnesota's Abundant Waterways: With thousands of lakes, rivers, and swimming pools throughout the state, children in Minnesota are frequently exposed to water. Swim lessons provide the necessary skills to navigate different water environments confidently, whether at the lake, on a boat, or in a backyard pool.
• Building Confidence & Reducing Fear: Many children (and parents) feel nervous around water. Learning how to swim in a structured and supportive environment helps kids become more comfortable, turning fear into confidence. Early exposure to water safety can foster a lifelong appreciation for swimming and aquatic activities.
• Physical & Mental Health Benefits: Swimming is not only a life-saving skill but also a great full-body workout. It improves cardiovascular health, muscle strength, coordination, and endurance. Additionally, swim lessons help children develop discipline, focus, and self-esteem—skills that benefit them beyond the pool.
• Lifelong Safety Skills: Teaching children how to swim isn't just about the early years—it's a skill they will carry with them for life. By learning proper techniques and safety habits early, kids grow into confident swimmers who can protect themselves and others in and around water.

What to Expect at Alexandria Area YMCA Swim Lessons

• Small Class Sizes: Classes are limited to six swimmers so your child can receive individual attention.
• Progressive Skill Development: We use a step-by-step approach to build skills gradually, ensuring that each child progresses at their own pace.
• Fun and Engaging Activities: Our instructors use creative and engaging activities to keep children motivated and excited about swimming.

Water Safety Tips

• Tip # 1: Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water.
• Tip # 2: Never swim alone without a water watcher.
• Tip # 3: Supervise your children whenever they're in or near water.
• Tip # 4: Don't play breath-holding games.
• Tip # 5: Wear a life jacket.
• Tip # 6: Reach, throw, don't go. The Y's Safety Around Water program teaches the "reach, throw, don't go" concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

Additional Programs

• The Safety Around Water program equips Alexandria Area kids with the tools they need to be confident in and around water for FREE. Along with free swim lessons for 7 to 9-year-olds, this week long event will include door prizes, water safety gym games, and more!

Membership Benefits

• YMCA members get free access to the aquatics center, discounts on swim lessons, and free water group exercise classes!

Contact Information

• Contact Shayna Asuncion at [email protected] or (320) 834-9622.