YMCA of Niagara - Health & Fitness - Niagara Falls

About YMCA Swim Lessons

YMCA instructional swim lessons introduce and teach children a variety of skills in a values based environment. Children are encouraged to experience the qualities of water, learn safety, movement skills, and build confidence. YMCA swim lessons emphasize fun and positive relationships with the instructor and other children. Every member may register for one swim lesson per week.Based on child development principles, the YMCA recognizes that children learn by experimenting, exploring, imitating, playing and having fun. Our instructors practice changing activities throughout the class to assist with keeping children's attention. A 30 minute class promotes and supports this learning principle.We recognize that each child is unique and learns differently. YMCA continuous registration promotes regular participation and learning through progression. YMCA instructors are trained to focus on each child as an individual and to use a variety of teaching methods.Children who want the option of additional swim time to practice skills and/or build endurance have the option of participating in open swim times.

YMCA Lil' Dippers For infants to 5 years of age
L'il Dippers 1: Splashers and Bubblers with parent participation
Purpose: To build values and introduce a wide range of water activities in a fun, safe atmosphere
Splashers - Comfort in the water, splashes with arms and legs, pool area orientation
Bubblers - hold wall and kick feet, front/back float assisted, safe swimming

L'il Dippers 2: ages 3 - 5 years without parents
Bobbers - hold wall kick and blow bubbles, front and back glide assisted, water hazards
Floaters - bobs unassisted, front and back glide with kick 3m, how and when to wear a personal flotation device
Gliders - deep water skills, front and back swim 5m, accessing ems
Divers - surface support 10 sec, front and back swim 10m, boating safety
Surfers - kneeling dive, front and back swim 15m, ice safety
Dippers - surface support 45 sec, front and back swim 25m, introduction to throwing assists

YMCA Learn To Swim For children 6 years +
Purpose: To build values and orient children 6+ to fundamental swim skills
Otter - rhythmic breathing, front and back swim 5m, know when to call for help
Seal - deep water skills, front and back swim 10m, buoyant objects
Dolphin - tread water 30 sec, front and back swim 25m, recognize someone in trouble
Swimmer - tread water 60 sec, front crawl 25m, introduction to resuscitation

YMCA Star Program
Purpose: To develop individuals through improving swimming ability, further water sports and safety skills, develop endurance and new strokes, as well as explore leadership skills
Star 1 - tread water 90 sec, back crawl 25m, rookie first aid
Star 2 - front and back crawl start, elementary backstroke 25m, rookie H2O proficiency
Star 3 - introduction to eggbeater, breast stroke 25m, rookie recognition and rescue
Star 4 - front crawl turn, endurance swim 400m, ranger first aid
Star 5 - eggbeater 2 min, sidestroke 25m, ranger H2O proficiency
Star 6 - water polo skills, butterfly 25m, ranger recognition and rescue Advanced Aquatics

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Swimming Admission Requirements
Effective August 4, 2009

The YMCA of Niagara is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable aquatic experience. The following age restriction admission criteria for under 10 years of age are based on Public Health requirements. Waterslide criteria are based on TSSA requirements.

Under 6 years

Must be directly supervised by an adult/guardian (min 13 years of age) in the water within arms reach.
Maximum 2:1 ratio
All children not fully toilet trained must wear specialty swim diapers or rubber pants.

Under 10 years

If able to successfully demonstrate comfort in the water and complete the facility swim test [2 widths uninterrupted], children may swim independently.
If not able to successfully complete the facility swim test, children must be accompanied by an adult/guardian (min 13 years) in the water in the same area of the pool.
Maximum 4:1 ratio

Family Swim

All swimmers under age 16 must be accompanied in the water by a parent/guardian (min 16 years of age).
Age restriction criteria apply.

Lane Swim

Is for swimmers 13 years and older.

Water Slide

Is available during open and family swims.
For safety reasons, sliders must be able to swim 25m unassisted; and be 48" tall to ride in Niagara Falls and 42" tall to ride in Fort Erie.

Medical Conditions

All swimmers with a serious medical condition should inform the lifeguard on duty.

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Family & Open Swim

Family Swim allows parents and their children the opportunity to enjoy the pool together. Leisure pool spray features will be available during family times. The YMCA is open to the community through an Open Swim. Non-members who pay a fee and members can attend. For a complete listing of current Family and Open swim times available, visit one of our six membership branches or download a current schedule. Please note that times and availability may vary from branch to branch. St. Catharines | Welland/Pelham | Niagara Falls | Fort Erie | Grimsby/West Lincoln | Port Colborne Return to Top

Aqua Fitness

Includes a cardio, stretching and strength component. Since exercise in the water reduces the impact on joints, it is a gentle yet effective way to achieve fitness. Members may choose between Shallow water Aquafit, Deep water Aquafit which requires some swimming ability and Aquafit in Moderation. For a complete listing of current Aquafit classes available, visit one of our six membership branches or download a current schedule. Please note that times and availability may vary from branch to branch. St. Catharines | Welland/Pelham | Niagara Falls | Fort Erie | Grimsby/West Lincoln | Port Colborne Return to Top

Lane Swim

Lane Swim is for members who wish to use swimming for a workout. Swimmers must be able to swim the full length of the pool continuously without support. To ensure a positive experience for all, ropes divide the pool into lanes so you can choose whichever lane is right for you. Lanes are provided for slow, moderate and fast swimmers, as well as an open lane for participants who wish to water walk, exercise or swim leisurely. Swimmers are requested to swim counter-clockwise, keeping the centre of the lane open for passing. For a complete listing of current lane swim times available, visit one of our six membership branches or download a current schedule. Please note that times and availability may vary from branch to branch.

Splash Pad

The Splash Pad is opened seasonally.

It is now closed for winter 2012.

Members and non-members are welcome during the Family Splash times. All Splash Times are weather dependent. Non-members pay $1 per child regardless of age. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian 16+ years. Parents/guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children.

YMCA Swim Instructor & Lifeguard Training

The YMCA has a long history of encouraging individuals both to assume responsibility for themselves and to express a sense of responsibility for the welfare of others. This sentiment is reflected in our commitment to recruiting, training and developing qualified and mature swimming Instructors and Lifeguards. What are the requirements to become a certified lifeguard?

Bronze Medallion (13 years or Bronze Star)& Emergency 1st Aid/CPR(B)
Bronze Cross
Standard First Aid / CPR(C)
National Lifeguard (16 years)

What are the requirements to become a certified YMCA Instructor? Role The YMCA Swim Instructor has completed a program of training and uses his/her knowledge and skills a qualified teacher of swimming, lifesaving and aquatic activities. Pre-requisites

Minimum sixteen years of age
Standard First Aid
Swim strokes at YMCA Intermediate stroke standard

For a complete listing of current NLS and Instructor classes available, visit one of our five membership branches for specific dates and times or download the Enrichment schedule below. Return to Top

Certification Courses

Enrichment Courses offered at the YMCA refer to all instructional programs offered for a fee. These programs are open to both members and non-members (unless otherwise stated), and are designed to enhance your lifestyle, acquire new skills and enrich your body, mind, and spirit. Please find details listed on the Certification Course page.

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