The first national YMCA swimming program was developed in 1906 and since then, generations of Canadians have learned to swim in YMCAs across the country.

YMCA Canada’s National Aquatics program is built on a base of Healthy Child Development/Healthy Adolescent Development, service standards, and YMCA core values.

The YMCA swim program goes beyond helping to teach children water safety and to swim. It also emphasizes developing a sense of self, learning to respect and care about others, and feeling good about one’s accomplishments. It’s part of the spirit, mind, and body approach we’ve used for over 150 years.

The YMCA has a long history in aquatics and was the first organization to offer formalized swim instruction in Canada. We are proud of this history and look forward to building upon it as we continue to support our communities.

Swimming Instruction for all ages of participants and members is important at the YMCA and our swimming lessons are for people from infant to adult. We welcome everyone to access our programs and services, including swimming. It is our goal to help people develop skills and habits that will keep them healthy throughout their lives. We are also interested in developing skills which may be used as building blocks for employment.

Learn to swim with the YMCA swimming instructional program. We recognize that everyone is unique in the how they learn and apply new skills. The YMCA provides swim instruction based on abilities and pace of progression. Our swim lessons for members are offered through a continuous evaluation program.

If you need help determining which class will best meet the needs of your child, in-person swim assessments may be arranged. Please inform the Welcome Desk that your child needs a swim assessment when you arrive at lesson time so that the deck lead can be notified. On your child’s first day of lessons, the deck lead will do a swim assessment to determine which swimming level your child should be in.

Private lessons are available to members at a cost of $125 (+HST) for five 30-minute lessons. A maximum of three people from the same household may be booked into a five lesson-block at no additional charge. Participants must have an active YMCA membership and similar swimming abilities. The five lessons are at the same time each week for five consecutive weeks.

If the YMCA cancels a scheduled private swim lesson that you have paid for, the fee paid for that cancelled lesson will be credited back to your YMCA account. This credited fee can be used for future YMCA purchases, but only upon the payer’s request to do so.

Spaces are subject to availability. Registration for swim lessons require active membership. Memberships and swim lesson registration are available online or over the phone if your membership account is being set up via credit card. Other payment types may register in person at the Welcome Desk. Call or visit the Membership Sales and Service Desk in your region at 709-726-9622 (St. John’s), 709-286-3003 (Placentia Regional YMCA), 709-279-9622 (Marystown), or 709-896-9622 (Happy Valley-Goose Bay).