Group Swim Lessons

This program is a water orientation class designed for parent* and child participation. The class encourages the bond of trust between parent and child and teaches parents how to guide and supervise their children around the water. The child will be exposed to basic movements.

*At the Y, we define parent broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for raising children, including guardians, stepparents, grandparents, or any other type of parenting relationship.

Preschool: The preschool swim program is designed to help children progress and build elementary swimming and safety skills. Children are placed in small groups with YMCA trained instructors. Class emphasis is on developing the coordination, endurance, and self-confidence of the preschooler.

Youth: The progressive swim program is designed to help children grow personally and develop strokes and safety skills. Emphasis is on endurance, personal safety, skill development, and lifesaving techniques.

Teen and adult swim lessons are for those individuals who wish to learn to swim or those who want to improve their technique. Classes have a low student-to-instructor ratio, which allows for personal instruction in each class. Each level is comprised of five elements: personal safety, skill development, personal growth, water sports/games and rescue.

• Kaimuki-Wai‘alae
• Leeward
• Mililani
• Nu‘uanu
• Windward

All YMCA Branches offer heated pools. Nu'uanu, Windward, and Kaimuki have saline pools.

• Arrival Time: Plan on arriving no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your scheduled class time. Some facilities will have a separate entrance for the pool area.
• What to Wear:
  
• Wear a mask at all times while in the facility, except when in the pool.  Masks are no longer required outdoors at the Y.
• Be dressed in swim attire prior to entering the facility. Currently locker rooms are not available at all branch locations to comply with State safety and social distancing guides. While some facilities do have changing stalls available, to make the most of your time, you should come prepared to swim.
• With the exception of those children who need to change from swim diapers, we ask that students arrive in their swim suits.  Immediately after class, please wrap your child in a towel and exit the facility.
• Parents/Guardians may assist your child in putting on a flotation belt (if needed).
• What to Bring: Towel and use of goggles is recommended.
• Shower Before and After Lesson: On deck showers are available before and after lessons.
• Restroom Usage: Please remember to take your child to the restroom before lessons begin.
• Where to sit during swim lessons: We provide limited seating on/around our pool deck for parent/guardian observation of swim lessons. We ask that swim lessons observers remain in our designated area and practice social distancing with others at all times. Please check with your YMCA branch location for viewing guidelines for swim lessons.
• If you or your child is not feeling well: Please refrain from coming to the Y. Give us a call to notify the branch aquatics department of your absence.
  
  

In general, we encourage children in preschool levels and above to participate in swim lessons independent of their parent/guardian. We encourage parents/guardians to observe your child's progress from the designated viewing area. However, if your child has diverse abilities or special needs which may require a parent/aide's presence in the water, please contact your Y branch location to discuss

• Masks:
• Masks are optional outdoors, but are still required when indoors.
  
• Social Distancing:
• The Group Swim max ratio is 1 instructor:6 swimmers, while the Parent/Child max ratio is 1 instructor:4 pairs of parent/child. Participants will be spaced out/staggered while waiting their turn.
• Instructors will utilize various teaching techniques and aids to allow for safe physical distancing. Novice swimmers may require closer physical supervision.
• We provide limited seating on/around our pool deck for parent/guardian observation of swim lessons. We ask that swim lessons observers remain in our designated area and practice social distancing with others at all times. Please check with your YMCA branch location for viewing guidelines for swim lessons.
  
• Cleaning and Sanitation: All equipment is sanitized after use. All high touch surfaces and pool decks are cleaned and sanitized frequently. The YMCA Branch is deep cleaned daily.
• Staff and Instructor Safety Training: All YMCA staff have been trained on safety and sanitation procedures. In addition, all swim instructors have completed training that covers specific adjustments for swim lesson safety in:
• Social Distancing
• Teaching techniques that allow for maximum distancing
• COVID mitigation practices
• Parent/Guardian Observation of Swim Lessons:
• We require 1 parent/guardian to remain in the viewing area for the duration of swim lessons.  This guideline is a safety standard and ensures a parent/guardian can escort to and from the restroom facilities if needed.

Refunds & Credits

1. In the event the YMCA cancels a program prior to the start date of the program, a full refund (or credit upon request), will be issued. The YMCA reserves the right to cancel any class due to low enrollment.
2. In the event a member/participant withdraws either prior to the start date of the program or on the first day of the program and requests a refund, a 30% service fee (up to a maximum of $50) will be applied to each registration that is being withdrawn. A refund or pro-rated refund (for withdrawals on the first day of program) will be issued upon receipt of written intent to withdraw. Upon request, credits or pro-rated credits can be issued instead of refunds with no assessment of service fees.
3. Refunds or credits may not be given after the first day of program. If the participant misses a class for any reason, credit/refund will NOT be given even if a doctor's note is presented.
   

Class Make-Up Policy

If the YMCA cancels a class, we will try to schedule a make-up. If a make-up class cannot be scheduled, the value of that class will be given in the form of a credit. This does not include classes cancelled due to inclement weather.

Yes, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) issued guidance that it is safe to swim as the virus cannot be spread via chlorinated and maintained water. Our pools meet or exceed the health standards recommended by the CDC and local authorities.

Here is a link to CDC about pools and COVID-19.