YMCA SWIM LESSONS

Swimming is a life skill, and knowing how to swim makes it possible to safely enjoy pools, water parks and the outdoors. Quality swim lessons are taught by certified YMCA swim instructors who create a fun and caring learning environment. Students learn fundamental swimming skills, while fostering a life-long appreciation for physical activity and fitness through swimming.

YMCA Swim Lesson Criteria

Swimming Lesson Seasons

Swimming Lessons are offered for registration in seasons.

Fall 2026 Season – September 28-December 13, 2026

Fall 2026 registration will be available online only, on Monday September 14 at 12:00pm (noon). Registration is based on the age of the child as of the first day of their preferred lesson set.

*NEW* for Fall 2026 Swimming Lesson registration will be based on level rather than timeslot/program, please carefully review the Registration Details section below for additional instructions.

Registration Details

Due to the limited availability of spaces, participants may only register for one weekly group lesson set per season. Members who register for more than one lesson per week will be withdrawn from their lessons.

Lessons are available to all Vancouver Island Y members, regardless of home branch.

Swimming lesson registration is based on the child’s age at the start date of the lesson season; Preschool Age lessons 3-5 years and School Age lessons 6-12 years. Ex. if the first lesson of the season is September 28, and your child turns 6 on September 30, you would register for a level in the Preschool Age program.

How do I know which level to register my child for? 

  • If your child has taken Y swimming lessons before: 
    • At the end of each lesson season, Progress Reports are issued to all children that participate in Y swimming lessons. Progress Reports are available online using your child’s Customer ID (associated with their membership)- if you are unsure of your child’s customer ID, please stop by the front desk and they will be happy to assist you.   
    • If you are having difficulties accessing/viewing your child’s Progress Report online, please contact our Aquatics Team swimming@vancouverislandy.ca or 250-686-7511 EXT 162 
  • If your child has not participated in Y swimming lessons previously or has participated in lessons at another facility: 
    • If your child has not participated in lesson before, please review our Y Swim Level Assessment Aid to review the skills in each level and determine the most appropriate level for your child based on their skills.  
    •  If your child has taken lessons at another facility, please refer to our Swim Level Conversion chart and email a copy of their report card to swimming@vancouverislandy.ca.
  • If you are still unsure of the appropriate level for your child after reviewing the information in the Y Swim Level Assessment Aid, please contact our Aquatics team at swimming@vancouverislandy.ca or 250-386-7511 Ext 162

What happens if I register for the wrong level? 

  • If your child is registered in the incorrect level, if there is not space available in the correct level based on their skill, their registration will be withdrawn due to class instructor:participant safety ratios. If your preferred lesson is full please register for the waitlist.

If my child is on the Waitlist, how will I know if they get a space in a lesson? 

  • During the first several weeks of the new swimming lesson season there is often quite a bit of registration movement. If a space becomes available for your child, a member of the Aquatics team will send an invitation to register (these invitations expire after 48hrs at which time the team will move on to the next child on the waitlist).
Check Availability

Fee

Swim lessons are included, at no additional cost, in child or family memberships.

Membership at the Y provides access to many facilities and services.  An active membership (memberships on Hold are not considered active) is required from time of registration through the duration of the swim lesson season (Membership does not guarantee registration). If a member does not secure a space in swim lessons there will be no refund of membership fees.

Parent and Tot Swim Lessons

Learn how to enter and exit the water together; practice holds and supports to swim safely together; play games that encourage toddlers to blow bubbles in the water and get faces wet; and start to develop floating and kicking skills. Parent participation required.

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Adult/Teen  Swim Lessons

Adult/Teen Beginner Swim Lessons

The Beginner Swim Lessons cover an introduction to front and back floats and glides, working towards a 10-15m swim on front and back, learning safe entries into shallow and deep water, breath control and underwater skills, flutter kick and treading water.

Adult/Teen Intermediate Swim Lessons

The Intermediate Swim Lessons are designed for adults and teens who are able to comfortably swim 10 metres unassisted and are looking to start perfecting their swim strokes, such as back/front crawl. Through the lessons, the instructor will help develop foundational swim strokes and endurance.

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Aquatic Leader in Training

The Aquatic Leader in Training (ALIT) program offers a unique aquatic alternative for kids who really love the water! This program keeps kids interested and active in aquatics — especially quick learners and those caught between programs. Must be able to swim 8 lengths of the pool. Learn about lifesaving, lifeguarding and first aid while improving swimming skills in a fun environment. A great way to learn about a future career. ALIT does not run during the summer months; please refer to Advanced Aquatics programming for alternative course options.

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Private/Semi-Private Swimming Lessons

Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons are for current Y members. Your membership must remain current and in good standing, for the duration of your lessons. Registration is required. Private Lesson fees are $32.50+gst per lesson; Semi-Private Lesson fees are discounted at 50% for the additional swimmer.  Lessons are non-refundable.

Available to participants 3+ yrs.

Member booking the lessons is responsible for registering 2nd participant within same swimming ability and ensuring they are present for lessons.

Check Availability

Review the private swim lesson refund/cancellation policy.

SWIM LESSON PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress reports can be retrieved online using your child’s Customer ID number; if you do not have this ID number please call us at 250-386-7511.

Progress Report

 

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