The Darien YMCA’s School Age and Progressive Swim Program is designed to meet the needs of all it’s participants at each level of the program. Each level is based on specific skills and age guidelines, as described in the Parent’s Guide to the YMCA Swimming Program.

The Darien YMCA follows the YMCA Swim Lesson Curriculum, including aquatic skills everyone needs to be safe in and around the water. As a core foundation of the program, these skills allow students to learn correct swim stroke techniques. This program is designed to teach safety, strength, and confidence in the water in a supportive and nurturing environment. All students begin with skills and build upon them as they are ready to learn them.  This helps them to celebrate their successes and, at the same time, enjoy learning to swim along with water safety.

For the beginner or fearful swimmer. Focus on getting comfortable in the water, rhythmic breathing, front and back paddle strokes, and floating.

Advanced beginner swimmer that is more comfortable in the water. Emphasis is on refining front and back crawl strokes. Swimmers are taught rotary breathing. For completion of this level children must be able to perform two lengths of the small pool doing front and back crawl stroke and be able to float on their front and back for 1 minute.

This level is for the comfortable swimmer, an emphasis is on stroke refinement for front crawl, with rotary breathing and backstroke. This level is designed to work longer distances, utilizing the large pool for exposure to deep water and early diving skills.

Swimmers at this level can swim one length of the large pool doing front crawl with competent rhythmic breathing. Additionally, they can swim one length doing the backstroke. Breaststroke and diving are introduced and the swimmer continues to build endurance.

This level is for the advanced swimmer who can successfully complete 25 yards of front crawl and backstroke, can dive from the starting block, and exhibit a competent breaststroke. Open turns are introduced.

Stroke refinement and increased endurance are the main focus during this level. They will be introduced to flip turns as well as the butterfly. For completion of this level, swimmers must be able to complete 100 yards front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and 25 yards of butterfly.

One on One private lessons are offered for children and adults who desire special attention and instruction. Depending on the instructor’s availability, we try to accommodate lessons to individuals’ schedules. Please click here for more information.

For class times and fees please view our brochure(s).

The Aquatics Department will provide up to 1 make-up classes per session per participant for missed classes. This applies to any class missed due to personal reasons or illness. No additional credits will be issued and “drop-in” makeups will not be done during the session. Make-ups will be provided during our session break week on a space available basis and will not necessarily be offered at the exact day and time as your current class. If you are unable to attend the offered makeup times, no additional credits will be issued.

There will be limited space so please arrange your makeups as soon as you miss a class.

Extended illness will receive an online credit with a doctor’s note.

Contact Amy D’Andrea to schedule your makeup. Extended illness will require a doctor’s note and result in online credit. Pool closure/ weather cancellations will be made up as usual.

If you have any questions regarding the Darien YMCA School Age and Progressive Swim Program, please contact:

Amy D’Andrea at 655-8228 ext. 1307.