Group lessons

Swim Lesson (Ratio: 1 instructor to 8 participants)

Level 1. Introduction to Swimming

Introduction to swimming is for adults who have discomfort, or even fear of the water, but also have a strong
willingness to learn. The class covers the most basic principles of moving through water. Safety is prioritized in
helping adults develop breathing rhythms and rudimentary swimming techniques for aquatic fitness and recreation.
Class objectives: by the end of this level students should be able to feel comfortable in the water, float,
and swim a safety stroke.

Activity Pool (10 meters long, 3 1/2 feet deep)

Level 2. Beginner Fundamentals

This beginning level class is for students who are comfortable floating with their face in the water. Safety
strokes are taught early to develop stroke and kicking fundamentals; students then learn flutter kick and alternating
stroke techniques. Front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke are introduced and developed. Class objectives:
by the end of this level students should be able to swim 25 meters front crawl, 15 meters backstroke, and
15 meters breaststroke.

Activity Pool (10 meters long, 3 1/2 feet deep)

Level 3. Intermediate

Students in this class should be able to swim 25 meters of front crawl (freestyle), 15 meters of backstroke, and
15 meters of breaststroke. Goals of this class include refining the mechanics and timing of strokes, kicking and
coordinated breathing. Dolphin kick, streamlining, somersaults, and push-off techniques are encouraged to
prepare student s for Level 4. Class objectives: students at the end of this level should be able to swim laps
efficiently and consistently for 30 minutes using front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke.

Lap pool (25 meters long, 4 feet deep)

Level 4. Advanced–Stroke Refinement

Students in the advanced class are expected to have the endurance to swim 100 meter of any stroke and be
able to swim for 30 minutes with breaks, if necessary. Skills for the four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke,
breaststroke and front crawl) are refined, and stamina is built through an understanding of workout
designs and executing efficient flip-turns. Class objectives: by the end of this level students should be able to
swim 1500 meter workouts over the course of one-hour. The Introduction to Lap Swimming and/or private
lessons would be recommended as a next level from this course.

Lap pool (25 meters long, 4 feet deep)

Introduction to Fitness Swimming

Introduction to lap swimming is for adults that have a good understanding of swimming technique and are
looking to expand and improve their workout routine. This class is designed as a bridge between the group
swim lessons and the Masters program. It is a great opportunity for current lap swimmers to improve their
technique and also have a structured workout. Each participant must be able to swim at least 1500 meters in
one hour and know three out of the four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly).
Classes will consist of full workouts, stroke clinics, specialty classes, and personal instructor feedback.

Lap pool (25 meters long, 4 feet deep)

Aqua Fitness - All Levels

A non-choreography based workout using the properties of water to resist or assist the workout. Sometimes the participants use buoyancy devices like water noodles or water bells.

Modified Aqua Moves - Beginner Level

This aqua fitness workout is modified for beginners or people with limited mobility.

Aqua Running - All Levels

A non-choreography based lower body strengthening and cardiorespiratory conditioning workout. This class is ideal for runners or triathletes rehabilitating from injury or those looking to develop power on the road.

Arthritis Aquatic Exercise - Beginner Level

The YMCA and the Arthritis Foundation co-developed this national program of physical activity classes that are designed for persons with arthritis, suffering from musculoskeletal pain, or who have difficulty with weight bearing exercise to improve their range of motion and muscular strength. In each class, an Arthritis Foundation trained and certified instructor leads exercises for all the joints as well as walking and other endurance activities.

Private Swim Lessons

Private swim lessons are available upon request and can be scheduled one-on-one. Times of lessons are dependent upon student/instructor availability but can usually be scheduled to fit your availability. All lessons are 30 minutes long.

Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Semi-private lessons are scheduled for two, three or four students who sign up together. Time of lessons is dependent on student/instructor availability and are 30 minutes long.

Private and Semi-Private Swim Lesson Program Policies

Membership: All participants must be members of the Embarcadero YMCA for the duration of the lesson package. We do offer a Program Membership for $50 a year.

Lesson Packages: All lessons are 30 minutes in length and may be purchased singly or in packages of one, four or eight lessons.  Payment must be received within 48 hours of booking a private lesson package to secure your appointments.  Lesson packages must be used within 6 months of first scheduled lesson. 

Instructors: We strive to have a consistent instructor for your lesson package, however substitutes may be necessary. All instructors are certified and/or have equivalent experience and each has their own approach to teaching since every individual learns differently. Instructor rescheduling is available at no additional charge if the participant does not mesh well with a particular instructor’s teaching style. Please call 415/615-1326 or email eprivatelessons@ymcasf.org if this situation arises.

Check in:  Please make sure to bring your swimming lessons card and receipt to your first lesson.  The instructor will not extend the lesson time if participants are not ready on time. Due to staffing constraints, lesson times can NOT be extended for late arrivals. If the participant has not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the lesson will be cancelled with no refund and no rescheduling available.

Rescheduling: To reschedule a lesson, please call 415/615-1326 or email with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the start of the lesson time.  Rescheduling will be done at the convenience of the Aquatic Staff. A different day, time and instructor may be offered as close as possible to the rescheduled date. Please be prepared to adjust your schedule to this availability.

Cancellations: If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, we appreciate a courtesy call, however, you will be charged the full class fee and no refund or reschedule will be available.

Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary for the Embarcadero YMCA staff to cancel and reschedule your lesson.  

Holiday Breaks:  Swim lessons will not occur on holidays. During breaks in our Group Swim Lesson program, private lessons will not be scheduled unless special arrangements have been made through the Aquatics Director.

Meet our Instructors:

Kelly Norsworthy is currently one of our Masters Swim coach, private swim instructor and a part time Lifeguard. She has over 17 years of swimming experience and 5 years of coaching experience. From the age of 6 on Kelly was a competitive swimmer in the state of Connecticut. She then swam all four years at Colby College in Maine where she achieved all-American status every single year. She led her to team to its highest national ranking in the school's history. Kelly started her coaching career teaching swim lessons to adolescents in the community and then worked with a successful YMCA team in East Hartford Connecticut after college. Upon moving to SF she joined the Embarcadero YMCA and now works full time at the UCSF Medical Center as a research assistant.

Michael Ono, started swimming when he was about 8 or so, joined a couple of swim teams and also swam for his High School. During his senior year of High School he volunteered teaching swimming lessons at the ChinaTown YMCA for one year. Since 2001 Michael worked at the Chinatown YMCA teaching lessons and coaching a swim team. Then in 2006 he started working at the Embarcadero YMCA and started to teach, and has been a lifeguard ever since. Michael has about 15 years of swimming experience, including teaching people both kids and adults how to swim. 

Colby Wiley has worked with the Embarcadero YMCA for more than two years. Colby specializes in teaching our adult swimming lessons. He teaches the entire weekday group swimming lessons and many of the evening private swimming lessons. His teaching strengths include working with adults on overcoming serious discomfort with the water and introducing new strokes to beginning students. Colby also has experience with advanced swimming technique. He was a competitive swimmer when he was younger and specialized in butterfly. Away from the YMCA, Colby is a musician. He originally came to San Francisco to study music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is currently an active freelance trombonist in the Bay Area. 

We offer coached practices five days a week for only $15 a month! There is no limit to the number of morning or evening workouts you can attend each week. Coaches provide speed and endurance training, motivation, drills, stroke technique, and fun workouts. Coaches do take attendance and will ask you what you goals are so they can help you achieve them.

Prerequisites:

• Know three out of four competitive strokes
• Swim 2000 meters in an hour and be prepared to do a variety of workouts including short and long sets, kicking set, pull sets, drill sets, sprints, etc.
• Register at the Member Services desk or online at enroll.ymcasf.org. We do not prorate for late registration.

Choose from the following times:

Mon, Wed: Fri: 6:00 am - 7:30 am

Tue, Thurs: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm