Swimming at the Y
For more than 125 years, the YMCA has been teaching people to swim and stay safe in and around the water. We built our first pool in Portland in 1901 to address a growing need for water safety, and in 1909 the Y pioneered small-group swim lessons that transformed how swimming is taught across the country.
Today, the Y remains America’s most trusted swim instructor; committed to creating a safe, respectful environment for everyone. Our programs are built on the latest water safety research, taught by trained and caring instructors, and designed to welcome everyone, regardless of age, ability, or financial situation.
We are committed to creating a safe, respectful environment for everyone.
Why Learn to Swim at the YMCA?
- 125 years of experience teaching lifesaving swim skills
- Proven, up-to-date curriculum that is regularly reviewed and improved
- Small-group instruction that builds confidence and skills faster
- Inclusive programs with financial assistance available
- Certified, caring instructors who put safety first
- Convenient schedules for busy families
The YMCA Difference
Instruction That Meets Swimmers Where They Are
At the YMCA, we believe every swimmer learns differently. Rather than following a rigid script, our instructors are trained in proven stroke and skill progressions and equipped with the tools they need to adapt lessons to the swimmers in front of them. This allows our team to respond to individual skill levels, learning styles, and goals in real time.
Personalized Progress
Our approach empowers instructors to:
- Adjust instruction based on each swimmer’s ability
- Encourage progress at an appropriate pace
- Provide extra support where needed
- Challenge swimmers who are ready for the next step
- This flexibility helps every participant build confidence while continuing to grow.
- Relationship-Based Teaching
YMCA swim instruction is rooted in connection. Our instructors focus on building trust and confidence in the water, creating a positive learning environment where swimmers feel supported and encouraged.
When swimmers feel confident, they progress faster and develop a lifelong comfort in the water.
Built for Busy Families
Because our instructors are trained to teach a range of skill levels within the same class time, families with multiple swimmers can often enroll children on the same day and time, even if they are at different stages.
Swimming is more than a sport. It’s a life skill that builds confidence, promotes lifelong health, and can even save lives. Here are additional benefits of swimming.
Other benefits of learning to swim, especially for children, include:
- Increased balance and spatial awareness.
- Increased attention span and emotional regulation
- Increased reading readiness
- Increased problem-solving, impulse control, and coordination
- For toddlers, reduced tantrums and better self-regulation (shift from fight-or-flight to calm)
- Free movement without joint impact in reduced gravity
- Delayed gratification based on measurable progress
- For parent/child classes, improved memory encoding and language development
- Breath control, floating reflexes, and orientation
Find Your Y. Find Your Swim Skills.
Whether you’re learning to float, training for competition, or enjoying time with family, the YMCA is here to help you feel confident in the water.
