WOODSON YMCA

Swim Lessons

INFANT | Toddler | Preschool | SCHOOL AGE

Swim Lessons - Skills for Life

With a focus on water safety and skill development, the YMCA Swim Lesson program is effective at helping children and adults learn to swim and, most importantly, be safe around water.

The Y was the first organization to establish certification programs for lifesaving, swimming and aquatic instruction, and it's a tradition we're proud to continue today. No refunds for classes cancelled due to weather.

Location:

Woodson YMCA - Wausau South Pool
707 N. 3rd St., Wausau | 715-845-2177

Woodson YMCA - Aspirus Pool
3402 Howland Ave., Weston | 715-841-1850

For more information contact:
Jen Deets, Aquatics Director

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Registration Dates 2023

Swim Lessons Registration - Thursday Mornings at 8 AM
SessionMember RegistrationNon-MemberSession Dates
Summer 1May 18 at 8:00 AMMay 25 at 8:00 AMJune 12 - June 30
Summer 2June 22 at 8:00 AMJune 29 at 8:00 AMJuly 10 - July 28

Summer 1 Registration Opens

Thursday, May 18th at 8AM for Members

Thursday, May 25th at 8AM for Non-Members

  • Scholarships are available
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Stage A/B: Parent/Child

6 Months - 3 Years  | Parent  & Child

Parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills. Infants and toddlers learn swim readiness skills through fun and confidence building aquatic experiences.

Swim Stage A & B

Summer 1 - 6 Week Session: June 12th- June 30th
Members $30 | Non-Members $48
Tuesday/Thursday9:15-9:45 amWausau Branch
Tuesday/Thursday9:50-10:20 amWausau Branch

Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Ages 3+

Stage 1 is for children who are not yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily.

Children will develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

In Water Acclimation, your child will:

  • Bob to submerge in the water
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab
  • Swim, float, swim 10 feet
  • Exit the water

Due to Aspirus Pool Climate classes that include 3 & 4 year olds are only 30 minutes.

Swim Stage 1

Summer 1 - 6 Week Session: June 12th- June 30th
Members $30 | Non-Members $48
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Monday/Wednesday8:00-8:30 amWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Monday/Wednesday5-5:30pmWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Tuesday/Thursday9:15-9:45amWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Tuesday/Thursday9:50-10:20 amWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Tuesday/Thursday4:15-4:45 pmWausau Branch
Ages 5-12Monday/Wednesday4:15-5pmWausau Branch
Ages 5-12Tuesday/Thursday4:50-5:35pmWausau Branch
Ages 3-12Tuesday/Thursday3:15-3:45pmAspirus Branch
Ages 3-12Tuesday/Thursday3:50-4:20pmAspirus Branch

Stage 2: Water Movement

Ages 3+ Based on Swim Level

Children entering Stage 2 should be able to go underwater voluntarily. 

Students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while continuing to practice how to safely exit if they would fall into a body of water.

Stage 2 is for children who are not yet able to do a front and back float on their own.

In Water Movement, your child will:

  • Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab
  • Swim, float, swim five yards
  • Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds
  • Exit the water

Due to Aspirus Pool Climate classes that include 3 & 4 year olds are only 30 minutes.

Swim Stage 2

Summer 1 - 6 Week Session: June 12th- June 30th
Members $30 | Non-Members $48
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Monday/Wednesday8:35-9:05amWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Monday/Wednesday5:35-6:05pmWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Tuesday/Thursday9:15-9:45amWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Tuesday/Thursday9:50-10:20amWausau Branch
Preschool
Ages 3-5
Tuesday/Thursday4:15-4:45pmWausau Branch
Ages 5-12Monday/Wednesday5:05-5:50 pmWausau Branch
Ages 5-12Tuesday/Thursday4:50-5:35pmWausau Branch
Ages 3-12Tuesday/Thursday3:15-3:45pmAspirus Branch

Stage 3: Water Stamina

Ages 5+ Based on Swim Level

Children entering Stage 3 should be able to front and back float independently. 

Children learn to swim to safety from a longer distance.  They are introduced to rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Stage 3 is for children who are not yet able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back.

In Water Stamina, your child will:

  • Retrieve an object in chest-deep water
  • Swim on their front and back for 15 yards
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards
  • Swim, float, swim 25 yards
  • Tread water for 1 minute
Stage 3 is Eligible to Register for Pre-Team Classes - See Below.

Swim Stage 3

Summer 1 - 6 Week Session: June 12th- June 30th
Members $30 | Non-Members $48
Ages 5-12Tuesday/Thursday4:50-5:35pmWausau Branch
Ages 5-12Tuesday/Thursday3:15-3:45pmAspirus Branch

Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Ages 5+ Based on Swim Level

Children entering Stage 4 should be able to swim 15 yards on their front and back independently.

They will develop stroke technique in front and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.

In Stroke Introduction, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards
  • Breaststroke kick for 15 yards
  • Butterfly kick for 15 yards
  • Elementary backstroke for 15 yards
  • Dive from a sitting position
  • Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards
Stage 4 is Now a Pre-Team Class
Please register for the Pre-Team Lessons

Stage 5: Stroke Development

Ages 5+ Based on Swim Level

Children entering Stage 5 should be able to swim 25 yards of front and back crawl.

They will work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. Emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

In Stroke Development, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl with bent-arm recovery for 25 yards
  • Breaststroke for 25 yards
  • Butterfly with simultaneous arm action and kick for 15 yards
  • Back crawl for 25 yards
  • Sidestroke for 25 yards
  • Dive from a kneeling position
  • Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for two minutes
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 50 yards
Stage 5 is Now a Pre-Team Class
Please register for the Pre-Team Lessons

Pre-Team

Ages 5+ Based on Swim Level

Pre-Team has the same objectives as swim lessons but increases the focus on body balance, streamlining, competitive starts, flip turns and efficient ways of teaching all 4 competitive swim strokes.

Pre-Team Stages 3 & 4 - Ages 5-7
Please register for the correct age and swim stage for pre-team.

Pre-Team Stages 4,5 & 6 - Ages 8-10
Please register for the correct age and swim stage for pre-team.

Pre-Team

Summer 1 - 6 Week Session: June 12- June 30
Members $30 | Non-Members $48
Ages 5-7
Stages 3-4
Monday/Wednesday4:15-5pmWausau Branch
Ages 5-7
Stages 3-4
Tuesday/Thursday3:50-4:35pmAspirus Branch
Ages 8-10
Stages 4-5-6
Monday/Wednesday5:05-5:50pmWausau Branch
Ages 8-10
Stages 4-5-6
Tuesday/Thursday3:50-4:35pmAspirus Branch

WYNS Swim Team

WYNS Swim Team will teach your child to swim with efficiency and speed.

Our team is a YMCA and a USA sanctioned year-round swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities.

We Welcome All Ages & Swim Levels

  • Our emphasis is on instructing proper competitive swimming techniques.
  • The goal of our team is to provide opportunities for every member to reach
    his/her potential at each stage of their development.
  • We give swimmers of all ages the chance to improve swimming skills.
  • Build friendships and healthy habits that last a lifetime. 
  • Competing is not mandatory to be part of the team.

Try our Woodson Y Northern Swimmers Team for a 1 Week Trial & let your child see if they enjoys being part of our team.

What Swim Level is my child?

The YMCA has an easy guide to help you find just the right swim lesson class for your child.