Swimming
Swimming at the Y helps people thrive—in and out of the water. Swim lessons provide kids and teens with the opportunity to set goals and achieve success, learn water safety and enjoy swimming as a form of exercise. Through swimming lessons, swim teams, lap swimming and more, the YMCA of the South Hampton Roads provides a safe environment for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Program Offerings
Safety Around Water
Safety Around Water consists of eight lessons designed to teach kids water safety skills that help reduce the risk of drowning and build their skills and confidence in and around water. Thanks to generous funding from POOLCORP, Safety Around Water is provided at no cost to participants whose household income is less than $60,000/year.
Swim Lessons
YMCA swim lessons prepare kids of all ages to stay safe and have fun in the water, building strong swimmers and confident kids. Lessons are available for individuals 6 months to adult. You're never too old to learn how to swim!
Aquatics Conditioning
The Y's Aquatics Conditioning class for swimmers age 6 to 17 builds on the skills learned in swim lessons. Swimmers focus on enhancing endurance and stroke technique for all major competitive strokes as well as encouraging swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Family Open Swim
Family open swim times are the perfect opportunities for children to gain swimming strength and endurance while playing with family in the pool, and for adults to relax and have fun in the water. Family open swim is offered at various times throughout the week.
Swim Teams
In swim team programs for ages 5 to 18, coaches work to improve each swimmer's stroke skill, speed, and endurance. Teams meet weekly to practice and also participate in YMCA competitive swim meets. Tryouts are required.
Masters Swim
Masters Swim is an organized coached program for adults 18 and older who are working to strengthen swim skills and endurance for fitness, competition or personal enjoyment. Basic knowledge of the four swim strokes is recommended.
Water Exercise
Renew yourself (and your tired muscles) with water exercise! Greater mobility, reduced pain and fatigue, increased muscle strength and enhanced sleep quality are just a few of the benefits of a regular fitness workout in the pool. The Y offers a great variety of classes, so get in the pool!
Lifeguard, Swim Instructor and CPR certifications
Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a professional lifeguard or swim instructor, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads Lifeguard program is the place to begin! Through classroom activities, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work as a lifeguard or swim instructor.
Test. Mark. Protect.
At the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, our number one priority is the safety of our members and guests. We are continually evaluating our protocols and best practices to ensure that everyone enjoys our aquatic venues and remains safe at all times. We especially strive to protect our youth in and around the water—"Test, Mark and Protect" ensures the best level of protection and acts as our benchmark swim test.