What Swim Lesson Class is right for my child?
This link will help you to determine the correct class for your child.
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.
Session & Registration Dates
Registration Opens Thursdays at 8AM
Fall 2: November 4 - December 21
Winter 1: January 6 - February 15
Registration Opens:
Y Members: Thursday, December 19 at 8 AM
Non-Members: Thursday, December 26 at 8 AM
Coming Up:
- November 4: Fall 2 Swim Lessons Starts
- November 28: No Classes
- December 19: Winter 1 Registration Opens
- December 26: Non-Member Registration Opens
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 inability to afford fees; scholarships are always available.
Swim Lessons
No refunds for classes cancelled due to weather.
We offer Swim Lessons at 2 locations:
Wausau Branch South Pool
707 N. 3rd St., Wausau
715-845-2177
Aspirus Branch Pool
3402 Howland Ave., Weston
715-841-1850
Swim Starters
Ages 6 Months to 3 Years
Parent/Child Class
Swim Starters is for parents to be part of their child's water exploration.
Babies & toddlers will learn water safety. Parent will help child gain comfort through fun games and group interaction.
Swim Starters: 30 Minute Class
Parent Child Swim Starters
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Tuesday | 4:15-4:45pm | Wausau Branch |
Tuesday | 6-6:30pm | Wausau Branch |
Wednesday | 9:20-9:50am | Wausau Branch |
Wednesday | 5:30-6pm | Wausau Branch |
Thursday | 4:30-5pm | Wausau Branch |
Saturday | 10:10-10:40am | Wausau Branch |
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 comfortable 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
Water Safety 1
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Tuesday | 4:50-5:20pm | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 9:55-10:25am | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Saturday | 8:30-9am | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Monday | 5:45-6:15pm | Aspirus Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 6:20-6:50pm | Aspirus Branch |
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 horizontal.
Preschool: 30 Minute Class
Youth: 45 Minute Class
Water Safety 2
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Tuesday | 5:25-5:55pm | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 10:30-11am | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Saturday | 9:05-9:35am | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Tuesday | 4:15-5pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Wednesday | 5:05-5:50pm | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Monday | 5:45-6:15pm | Aspirus Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 6:55-7:25pm | Aspirus Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Wednesday | 5:45-6:30pm | Aspirus Branch |
Water Safety 3
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 5:55-6:25pm | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Thursday | 5:05-5:35pm | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Saturday | 9:40-10:10am | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Tuesday | 5:05-5:50pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Tuesday | 5:55-6:40pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Thursday | 5:30-6:15pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Saturday | 8:30-9:15am | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Monday | 6:20-6:50pm | Aspirus Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 5:45-6:15pm | Aspirus Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Monday | 6:55-7:40pm | Aspirus Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Wednesday | 5:45-6:30pm | Aspirus Branch |
Swim Development
Preschool Ages 3-5
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.
Preschool: 45 Minute Class Wausau/30 Minute Class Aspirus
Youth: 45 Minute Class
Swim Development
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Tuesday | 5:05-5:50pm | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Thursday | 6:20-7:05pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Tuesday | 5:55-6:40pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Wednesday | 5:05-5:50pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Wednesday | 5:55-6:40pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Thursday | 5:30-6:15pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Thursday | 6:20-7:05pm | Wausau Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Saturday | 9:20-10:05am | Wausau Branch |
Preschool Ages 3-5 | Monday | 6:20-6:50pm | Aspirus Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Monday | 6:55-7:40pm | Aspirus Branch |
Youth Ages 6-12 | Wednesday | 6:35-7:20pm | Aspirus Branch |
WYNS Swim Team
Ages 3+
Swim team seamlessly follows swim lessons, providing a pathway for continuous skill development, endurance, and speed. Children as young as 3 are encouraged to join.
Requirement: Your child must be able to swim one length of the pool on their front & back.
Benefits of Swim Team
- Develops Positive Self-Image
- Fosters Teamwork & Cooperation
- Builds Friendships & Healthy Habits
- Everyone Swims - No One Sits On The Bench
Swim for Fitness
Ages 8+
Swim for Fitness Classes will be a guided swim time with an instructor on deck.
Requirement: Your child must be able to swim one length of the pool on their front & back.
- 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.
Swim for Fitness
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Ages 8+ | Wednesday | 4:15-5pm | Wausau Branch |
Ages 8+ | Saturday | 10:10-10:55am | Wausau Branch |
Ages 8+ | Wednesday | 6:35-7:20pm | Aspirus Branch |
Jr. Lifeguard
Ages 10-14
Jr. Lifeguarding is a fun & educational class that introduces the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course.
Requirement: Your child must be able to swim one length of the pool on their front & back.
- 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 and become a Certified Lifeguard!!
- Jr. Lifeguard Classes will be at the Wausau Branch.
Jr. Lifeguarding
Fall 2Session: November 4-December 21
Members $43.75 | Non-Members $66.50
*Thursdays are 6 weeks due to Thanksgiving*
(Members $37.50 Non-Members $57)
Ages 10-14 | Monday | 4:15-5pm | Wausau Branch |
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.