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 and Windward's are 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.
• Be dressed in swim attire prior to entering the facility. Currently locker rooms are not available 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.
  During our initial phase we will have a Wrap–n-Go policy. We ask that students arrive in their swim suits and immediately after class wrap in a towel and exit facility. With the exception of those children that need to change from swim diapers.
• 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 will be providing seating on/around our pool deck for 1 parent/guardian. We ask that any additional family members wait in our designated area and to maintain social distancing from other families. Please check with your YMCA branch location for viewing guidelines for swim lessons. Space for observation of swim lessons is limited and social distancing is required at all times.
  
• If you or your child is not feeling well: Please refrain from coming to the Y. Give us a call to reschedule your lesson.

No, due to space restrictions and social distancing requirements.

• Temperature Checks and Health Screening: Before being allowed to complete your reservation, and each time before entering the YMCA, you will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver, acknowledge that you are able to wear a mask while in the facility at all times (except when actively in the pool) and be able to answer “no” to each of the following 4 health screening questions:
• Are you experiencing any cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell?
• Have you had a fever of 100.4 or more during the last 48 hours?
• Do you, or anyone in your household, have an active or suspected case of COVID-19?
• Are you or anyone in your household currently mandated to quarantine by the State of Hawaii?
• Masks and Face Shields:
• All staff who are not in the water will be wearing face masks.
• All instructors in the water will be wearing face shields. The face shields are for your child’s protection and the instructor’s protection.
• Everyone visiting our facility is required to wear a face mask as well. Children will not be wearing face masks while in the water.
• Social Distancing:
• There will be no more than 3 individuals per lane (including the
  Instructor). Participants will be spaced out/staggered
  while waiting their turn.
• Instructors will remain 6 feet away from the swimmer unless it is unsafe for them to do so. Instructors will utilize various teaching techniques and aids to allow for 6 feet of distancing. Novice swimmers may require closer physical supervision.
• The Group Swim max ratio is 1:4 while Parent/Child max ratio is 1:4 pairs.
• We will be providing seating on/around our pool deck for 1 parent/guardian. We ask that any additional family members wait in our designated area and practice social distancing with others. Please check with your YMCA branch location for viewing guidelines for swim lessons. Space for observation of swim lessons is limited and social distancing is required at all times.
• 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

Credit/Refund Policy:
Should you need to make changes to your child’s registration, please notify the Aquatics Director as soon as possible. Cancellations must be made prior to the first class attended, and refunds less 30% (or up to $50) will be issued after program has started. All refunds are subject to an additional $25 processing fee. Classes with insufficient enrollment may be cancelled and fees refunded.

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.
• If the participant misses a class for any reason, credit/refund will NOT be given even if a doctor’s note is presented.

We are asking only one caregiver per child. If your family has no other option, or if you have two children enrolled in classes that take place after the other, you may bring the sibling and keep them close to you. We ask that you please respect social distancing at all times.

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.