Frequently Asked Questions

Program Philosophy and Expectations

Every swimmer grows at their own pace. Our focus is confidence, safety, and a lifelong love of the water. Enjoy the journey as it will take time.

We provide a recreational program, not a competitive swim club. We build strong skills through fun, positive experiences that set kids up for long-term success. It’s a journey.

Ages, Levels, and Registration

Ages:

  • 6 months to 5 years: Preschool lessons
  • 6 to 12: Youth lessons
  • 13+: Teen lessons (drop-in)

We can help match previous swim experience or do a quick assessment.

Register anytime online through our Member Portal or contact our Membership team for help at 506-857-0606.

Sessions run 8–12 weeks with a short break between cycles and you can join anytime! The final week of each session is Family Swim Partnership Week, when parents can join in and swimmers receive their level updates.

Usually it’s because a requirement isn’t met (like age or level). Contact us and we’ll help find the right class.

Group lessons are included with membership while private lessons have fees associated with them.

Enrollment Rules and Waitlists

No. Your child keeps their spot unless they move up a level. We do a full reset once a year before the Fall session, and families are notified in advance.

One group lesson at a time. Multiple registrations for the same person will result in a removed.

Yes. Private lessons and other fee-for-service programs are allowed in addition to the group lesson limit.

Unfortunately, no. Spaces are limited, and we want to make sure every child has a spot. Once your child moves up, their current spot opens for the next swimmer waiting to join.

If already in a class, your child can join one waitlist. If not yet registered, they can be on up to two waitlists at once.

It depends! Spots open when other swimmers move up or leaves, so timing varies.

To keep it fair, children not in a class can join up to two waitlists. Registered swimmers are allowed only one. We reserve the right to remove a student from all waitlists if they are registered for more than the allowed amount.

  • Membership: Must have an active YMCA membership.
  • Attendance: Three consecutive absences will lead to removal.
  • Level Up: Successful completion of a level means releasing that spot for the next swimmer.
  • Multiple Registrations: Children will be removed if enrolled in multiple classes.

Pool Rules and Safety

All swimmers must wear a swim cap and swimsuit. Any swimsuit is fine as long as it’s safe for swimming and nothing that covers the nose or mouth. Googles are permitted. Don’t forget indoor footwear and a towel!

Parent or guardians are only required to be in the water for our ‘parented’ classes. These levels are Splashers, Bubblers, Bobbers, and Floaters.

Yes.

Yes, another guardian can attend but they must be at least 16 years old.

  • Ages 11 and under: Parents must sign kids in at the start and out at the end, and stay in the building during the lesson. You can use the gym or other areas but must remain on-site.
  • Ages 12 and up: Kids can sign themselves in and out, and parents do not need to stay in the building.

Progress and Attendance

Instructors evaluate skills throughout the session, which are between 8-12 weeks. A child passes a level once they demonstrate all required skills consistently. If they finish early, instructors may inform parents and guardians so they can move up right away!

Instructors share results on the last day of the session. You can also check your child’s progress online through SwimGen using the last 6 digits of their YMCA access card as the Participant ID.

For just one lesson, no action is needed. For several consecutive lessons, please email us. We will remove children who miss three consecutive lessons.

Swimming lessons are a journey and make-up lessons are not needed.

Instructor Information

All instructors are fully trained in facilitation. Instructors change frequently. Choosing a specific instructor is not an option. If you know which class your preferred instructor teaches and there’s space, you can sign up for that time. Changing classes may require joining a waitlist.

We are unable to guarantee specific gendered instructors, experienced instructors, or language speaking instructors.

Private Swim Lessons

All private lessons are booked through our online member portal. You can view availability and reserve a time slot for the whole month.  Book Your Spot here. For login help, contact our Membership Desk.

Registration opens on the 23rd of each month. Spots are first-come, first-served, so check early in the morning. Exact times can vary due to system updates.

Private lessons are booked as a monthly package with a set time each week. There are no lessons on holidays.

  • Members: $30 plus tax per class
  • Non-members: $55 plus tax per class

Yes, each private lesson can have up to two participants, but they must be at the same swimming level. Instructors cannot teach different levels in the same class.

Since the time slot is reserved for the month, missed lessons cannot be refunded, rescheduled, or carried over.