The YMCA of Southern West Virginia has announced that it will be offering FREE group swim lessons for the remainder of 2024. Thanks to the successful fundraising for the Spirit of Beckley and a grant from YMCA of the USA, the organization‘s progressive swim lesson program will be available at no cost to its members and the community through December 31, 2024.

The Y offers a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate swim program that teaches you how to skillfully and safely think and act in, on, and around water. Group swim lessons are separated by age and skill level and offered on a monthly basis. Each session includes six 30-minute lessons.

Swim Lessons Check-in

• Please enter through the front entrance of the building to gain access to the pool deck.
• Please sign-in your child at the Front Desk.
• Arrive with your children dressed to swim. Locker rooms are conveniently located on the same floor as the pool.
• Pre-K & School Age:
  • Please drop your child off at the pool deck at the start of class. Class will begin promptly at the designated time.
  • Parents – Please observe your child during the class from the Observation Deck. Parents are prohibited from sitting on the pool deck during group swim lessons. 

Preparing for my Swim Lessons

• Please bring your own towel. We do not have access to the towels for participants.
• We encourage children to be comfortable opening their eyes in the pool without goggles. We will use goggles in more advanced classes. You can bring goggles but they may not be utilized.
• Each child must have only one parent or guardian in the water during the Parent & Child class.
• Children who are not potty-trained must wear swim diapers with a plastic pant that is fitted at the legs and waist.
• Swimmers must exit the pool immediately following their lesson.
• No sick or ill people will be allowed in our natatorium.

Swim Lessons Progress 

Information regarding the progress of your child can be discussed with the Aquatics Director at any time. Our training design utilizes a continuum for each level to follow so that every swimmer progresses.

Click Here to view Infant/Toddler & Preschool Skill Continuum

Click Here to view School Age Skill Continuum

Registration Dates & Session Times

Session 1 will occur on Monday & Thursday evenings for three weeks. Session 2 will occur on Tuesday & Friday evenings for three weeks. Please use caution when registering for a specific session. We are unable to transfer you to another session.

Cancellation Policy
In the event of inclement weather, please do not assume your class is cancelled. We typically will not cancel a class until 20 minutes before the start time. We also do not cancel all classes for an evening unless necessary. If your lesson has been cancelled, you will receive an email. Please make sure your phone number & email stays updated in our system. We guarantee six swim lessons. Classes that have met for a minimum of 15 minutes will not be rescheduled. We do not offer make up swim lessons if the participant has a conflict. Any make up provided by the YMCA will be communicated via email. Policy requires that we close our pools for 30 minutes after each sign of lighting or thunder.

Failure to attend four of the six lessons could result in the inability to register for future free group swim lessons.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the Aquatics Director, Cat Gunther, at [email protected].

Programs and Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Management may issue a partial credit to use at the YMCA of Southern West Virginia.  Program staff will determine whether a full or partial credit will be given based on the date and reason of the request. No credits will be issued after the start date of any program.