What Swim Lesson Class is right for my child?
Read each option below and select the appropriate class for your child's ability.
Swim Starters
Swim Starters is for parents to be part of their childs water exploration.
Ages 6 Months to 3 Years
Water Safety Stage 1
Stage 1 is for children not yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily.
Preschool Ages 3-5
Water Safety Stage 2
Stage 2 is for children able to go underwater on their own.
Preschool Ages 3-5
Youth Ages 6-12
Water Safety Stage 3
Stage 3 is for children able to stay on the surface of the water unassisted for short distances & go underwater on their own.
Preschool Ages 3-5
Youth Ages 6-12
Swim Development
Your child needs to have passed out of Stage 3 or have the fundamental skills to be able to move a distance of 10 yards on the surface of the water independently on their front and on their back.
Preschool Ages 3-5
Youth Ages 6-12
Swim Opportunities
Options for children that can swim one length of the pool on their front & back.
Swim Team Ages 3+
Swim for Fitness Ages 8+
Jr. Lifeguard 10+
Session & Registration Dates
Winter 1 - 2024
Session: Monday, January 8th - Friday, February 23
Registration Starts:
- Members: Thursday, December 21 at 8am
- Non-Members: Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Fall 2 - 2023
Session: Monday, October 30 - Friday, December 22
Fall 2 Schedule and Information>
Swim Lessons
No refunds for classes cancelled due to weather.
Scholarships are available.
Swim Starters
Ages 6 Months to 3 Years
Parent/Child Class
Swim Starters is for parents to be part of their childs water exploration.
Bablies & toddlers will learn water safety. Parent will help child gain comfort through fun games and group interaction.
Swim Starters: 30 Minute Class
Special Notes:
Winter 1: January 8 - February 23
Member Registration:
Thursday, December 21 at 8am
Non-Members:
Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Winter 1 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
Water Safety Stage 1
Preschool Ages 3-5
Stage 1 is for children not yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily.
If your 3 year old is not comfotable in the water without you, please sign them up for Swim Starters.
Stage 1 Goals
- Increase child’s comfort in the water.
- Introduction to floating (body balance).
- Child learns basic self rescue skills, to submerge and resurface independently.
Preschool: 30 Minute Class
Special Notes:
Winter 1: January 8 - February 23
Member Registration:
Thursday, December 21 at 8am
Non-Members:
Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Winter 1 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
Water Safety Stage 2
Preschool Ages 3-5
Youth Ages 6-12
Stage 2 is for children able to go underwater on their own.
Stage 2 Goals
- Child learns balanced, independent forward movement on top of the water.
- Independently recovers from vertical to horizonal.
Preschool: 30 Minute Class
Youth: 45 Minute Class
Special Notes:
Winter 1: January 8 - February 23
Member Registration:
Thursday, December 21 at 8am
Non-Members:
Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Winter 1 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
Winter 1: January 8 - February 23
Member Registration:
Thursday, December 21 at 8am
Non-Members:
Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Winter 1 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
Swim Development
Preschool Ages 3-5
Your child needs to have passed out of Stage 3 or have the fundamental skills to be able to move a distance of 10 yards on the surface of the water independently on their front and on their back.
Development Goals
- Child learns efficient swimming skills so they can swim longer distances using less energy.
- Children will be taught to utilize their whole body to be balanced on top of the water.
- Core to stabilize, arms to anchor out in front and legs to propel forward.
Preschool: 45 Minute Class
Special Notes:
Winter 1: January 8 - February 23
Member Registration:
Thursday, December 21 at 8am
Non-Members:
Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Winter 1 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
Swim Development
Youth Ages 6-12
Your child needs to have passed out of Stage 3 or have the fundamental skills to be able to move a distance of 10 yards on the surface of the water independently on their front and on their back.
Development Goals
- Child learns efficient swimming skills so they can swim longer distances using less energy.
- Children will be taught to utilize their whole body to be balanced on top of the water.
- Core to stabilize, arms to anchor out in front and legs to propel forward.
Youth: 45 Minute Class
Special Notes:
Winter 1: January 8 - February 23
Member Registration:
Thursday, December 21 at 8am
Non-Members:
Thursday, December 28 at 8am
Winter 1 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
Swim Opportunities
Options for children that can swim one length of the pool on their front & back.
WYNS Swim Team
Ages 3+
Swim team seamlessly follows swim lessons, providing a pathway for continuous skill development, endurance, and speed. Kids as young as 3 learn correct techniques.
Benefits of Swim Team
- Develops positive self-image.
- Fosters teamwork and cooperation.
- Everyone swims, no one on the bench.
Swim for Fitness
Ages 8+
Swim for Fitness Classes will be a guided swim time with an instructor on deck.
- Children will be guided through an enjoyable swim workout, enabling them to build on skills learned and gain stamina in the water.
- A great class to continue swimming skills, improve and have fun.
More information coming soon.
Jr. Lifeguard
Ages 10+
Introduction to the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course.
- Participants will learn skills such as victim recognition, rescue skills, introduction to first aid and CPR.
- At age 15 they are eligible to take American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course.
- Jr. Lifeguard Classes will be at the Wausau Branch.
More information coming soon.
New Swim Lessons
Swim Lessons Progression 2024
Beginning with Winter 1, we've revamped our Swim Lessons progression to simplify the process for parents in finding the perfect class for their child.
We are excited to share all the new opportunities your child will have to continue their love of swimming!
Swim Lessons - Skills for Life
At the YMCA, we are dedicated to providing swim lessons for every child. No one is turned away due to their ability to afford fees; scholarships are always available.
Swim Lesson Progression
Our primary focus is on water safety and skill development: Swim Starters, Swim Safety Stages 1-3 and Swim Development.
Our secondary focus is moving young swimmers onto Swim Team where they will learn how to swim with endurance and speed.
Finally we want children to have opportunities to continue swimming with our New Swim for Fitness Classes and Jr. Lifeguard Classes coming soon!
We offer Swim Lessons at 2 locations:
715-845-2177
715-841-1850
Woodson YMCA Aquatics
Jennifer Deets
Aquatics Director - Woodson YMCA
Contact Jen Deets
Email Here or
or call 715-841-1831
Please email your questions here and Aquatics will get back to your shortly.