In the Water

The Presidio YMCA Aquatics swim lesson program is a skill-based learning program dedicated to developing swimmers who are comfortable, confident and independent in the water.

Group Swim Lessons began at the YMCA over 100 years ago, and with all that experience behind us we have created a program that cannot be matched in quality, safety, or fun.

All of our instructors go through an extensive training and certification process. YMCA swim lessons also include personal safety, personal growth, water sports/games and rescue components. We strive to teach lessons with our four core values: honesty, respect, responsibility and caring.

We offer a myriad of programming for all ages, so there is something for everyone in your family.

Register

To register for youth swim lessons, click HERE.

Contact

Courtney Reed
Associate Aquatics Director
415-447-9609
creed@ymcasf.org

Classes

Parent/Child Program (ages 6mo - 3yrs)

Parents/guardians accompany their infants and toddlers in these water orientation classes.

Classes focus on water adjustment, water safety, and basic swim movements, but also encourage Parent/Child bonding, and socialization skills in a fun, community environment. Each child must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Classes are 30 minutes.

Instructor:  Participant Ratio = 1:12

Shrimp

(6 mos - 3 yrs)
Parents/guardians accompany their infants and toddlers in introductory water orientation classes. In this class, parents will learn the basic cues and holds to teach their children basic water skills. This curriculum is designed to be an introductory course to the parent/child program. Once parents are familiar with the basic elements of this program, they move to the Perch classes.

Perch

(12 mos - 3 yrs) (Must have completed at least one session of Shrimp)
This class builds off the skills learned in Shrimp. This class is designed to further develop a child’s level of comfort and competence in the water by reinforcing skills, increasing 1 on 1 time with the instructor, and introducing new skills.

Kipper

(18 mos - 3 yrs) (Must have completed a minimum of 3 sessions of Perch and received instructor referral.)
This class is designed for the child whose consistent exposure to the water has helped them become ready to learn to swim independently. Incorporates more 1 on 1 time with instructor and more principals from our Preschool Swim Program to further prepare a child for transition.
INSTRUCTOR REFERRAL REQUIRED. 

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Preschool Program (ages 3-5 years)

Children will learn basic swim skills without the assistance of their parents.

Instructor:  Student Ratio = 1:4 Pike, 1:5 Eel/Ray, 1:6 Starfish

Pike

(Beginners, no prerequisites) Children learn water adjustment, basic water skills, and water safety.

Eel

(Participants must be comfortable putting their face in the water and able to perform a front float and back float unassisted)
Children will learn crawl stroke, kicking on front and back, backstroke, and elementary backstroke in addition to basic water skills and water safety.

Ray

(Participants must be able to swim 10 yards of crawl stroke and back stroke unassisted)
Children will improve their basic stroke skills, build endurance, and learn dolphin kick, kneeling dive, and how to tread water.

Starfish

(Participants must be able to swim 25 yards of crawl stroke and back stroke)
Children will learn more advanced swim technique in addition to learning the basics of breaststroke and butterfly.

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Youth Program (ages 6-14 years)

Participants will learn basic to advanced water skills, stroke technique, personal safety, water safety, rescue skills, and personal growth.

Instructor:  Student Ratio = 1:4 Otter, 1:5 Polliwog, 1:6 Guppy, 1:7 Minnow, 1:8 Fish/Fly Fish

Pre-Polliwog

(Beginner, no prerequisites) Learn floats, breath control, water orientation, and basic water skills.

Polliwog

(Must be able to submerge, float on front/back, and perform water bobs) Learn basic water skills. Class covers kicking, basic strokes, and water safety.

Guppy

(Participants must be able to swim crawl stroke and back stroke 15 yards) Youth will develop crawl stroke, backstroke, and elementary backstroke, in addition to treading water and basic rescue skills.

Minnow

(Participants must be able to swim 25 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and elementary backstroke)
Youth will further develop stroke technique in addition to learning breaststroke, dolphin kick and other water skills. Participants will continue to build endurance and confidence in the water.

Fish

(Participants must be able to swim 50 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke)
Youth will begin refining stroke technique and will be taught butterfly and flip turns in addition to building endurance. Youth will learn more advanced rescue skills and develop leadership skills through supporting and learning to teach each other.

Flying Fish

(Participants must be able to swim 100 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke, and 50 yards of butterfly in addition to being able to tread water for 2 minutes)
Youth will learn advanced stroke technique, and all competitive turns. Emphasis on endurance and leadership skills. This class will prepare participants for a competitive swim team if desired.

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Introducing our new Bank Draft System...

YOU ASKED FOR IT, YOU GOT IT!

The Presidio YMCA swim lesson program is thrilled to offer the ease and convenience of a one-time registration, monthly bank draft system!

Youth Swim Lessons

Rates

Pay as little as $45/mo*

*Based on a Facility Member rate for a 1x a week 30 minute class.

Monthly Fees:

Facility Members

                         2x/week  1x/week
30 minute class   $90         $45
40 minute class   $130       $65

Program Members

30 minute class   $140       $70
40 minute class   $180       $90
60 minute class   $200       $100

30 minute classes: shrimp-minnow
40 minute classes: fish/flying fish
60 minute classes: adult/polo/first mates

Contact

Courtney Reed
Associate Aquatics Director
415-447-9609
creed@ymcasf.org

Tim Staley
Swim Lesson Coordinator
415-447-9610
tstaley@ymcasf.org

Benefits

Register only ONCE

Unlike our old system that required re-enrolling every 4-6 week session, with the bank draft system once you enroll you are guaranteed your spot from that point forward.

Sign up for any combination of days

With this new system you can enroll for once or twice a week on any day our program is offered. As oppose to the old system when twice a week classes were on Mondays and Wednesdays OR Tuesdays and Thursdays, now you can sign up for any two days of the week that are most convenient to your schedule.

We take care of transfers

We will monitor your child’s progress and work with you to seamlessly transfer them to a new class that is convenient to your family’s schedule.

 

Registration

Registration is EASY! Start registering February 1st!

Starting MARCH 1st, 2010 all classes will be converted to the bank draft system. Registration is open for these classes starting FEBRUARY 1st. Registration is done in person at the front desk of either the Main Post at 63 Funston Ave or at the Pool at 1151 Gorgas Ave.

Steps for registration include:

  1. Complete a bank draft form using either your Checking Account or a Credit Card.
  2. Select your class level, day(s), and time slot.
  3. You’re done!

 

Class Schedule & Fees

This new schedule effective March 1st, 2010...

WEEKDAY MORNING CLASSES: OFFERED MONDAY— FRIDAY

9:35am Perch Eel
10:10 Shrimp Pike
(Wednesday only)

 

WEEKDAY AFTERNOON CLASSES: OFFERED MONDAY—THURSDAY
3:45 Pike Eel Minnow
4:20 Pike Ray Guppy
4:55 Eel Polliwog Minnow Fish
(4:50)
5:30 Pike Ray Flying Fish

 

WEEKEND CLASSES: OFFERED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
9:00 Perch Pike Pike Eel
9:35 Pike Pike Eel Ray
10:10 Shrimp Pike Ray Guppy
10:45 Perch Eel Ray Guppy
11:20 Shrimp Pike Minnow
11:55 Perch Eel Polliwog Fish/Flying Fish
(11:50)
12:30 Ray Kipper
(Sunday Only)

Don't see your perfect class? Create-a-class is still available!
Contact Tim Staley to inquire about your create your class!

 

Make up Classes

Make up classes are still available. If your child needs to miss a swim class, one free make-up class per month is available. Contact Tim Staley for make ups.

 

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Our large pool hosts numerous programs including lap and recreational swim. Our small pool is adjacent to our cooler large lap swimming pool, and is ideal for children's recreational swim because of its warmer temperature.

Contact

Letterman Pool Front Desk
1152 Gorgas Ave.
San Francisco, CA
94129
415-447-9680
pmembers@ymcasf.org

Pool Schedule

To download our Spring 2010 Pool Schedule, click HERE.

 

 

For more information, see "Parent/Child" by clicking the following link HERE.

 

Pool Parties

For more information, see "Facility Rentals/Birthday Parties" by clicking the following link HERE.

 

Contact

Noah Brown
Assoc. Dir. of Youth Development
415-447-9614
nbrown@ymcasf.org

First Mates Pre-Swim Team (ages 6-14 years)

This program acts as a stepping stone between the Flying Fish class and the competitive Youth Swim Team. This non-competitive class meets one or twice weekly, depending on session, giving students the basic skills needed for participating with a competitive team, or provides a non-competitive alternative for swimmers looking to further their advancement. Swimmers work on building endurance and skill refinement. Instructor: Participant ratio = 1:8.

Presidio Aquatics Club (YPAC) Swim Team (ages 7-18 years)

The Presidio Aquatics Club is a year-round competitive youth swim team that competes with United States Swimming. There is an emphasis on endurance, technique, leadership and team building. Tryouts are mandatory. Participants must be able to swim 50 yards of each of the four competitive strokes, 500 yards of freestyle and be familiar with all competitive turns. Tryouts can be scheduled through Noah Brown.

Schedules

First Mates Pre-Swim Team

Tuesdays & Thursdays
4:00pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Saturdays
10:00AM - 11:00AM
11:00 AM - 12:00 pm

Sundays
10:00 - 11:00am

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Winter Session
Session 1 1/5 - 1/28 (8) $140/195
Session 2 2/2 - 2/25 (8) $140/195
Spring Session
Session 1 3/2 - 3/30 (9) $158/219
Session 2 4/6 - 4/29 (8) $140/195
Session 3 5/4 - 5/27 (8) $140/195

Saturdays
Session 1 1/9 - 3/13 (10) $175/243
Session 2 3/20 - 5/22 (10) $175/243

Sundays
Session 1 1/10 - 3/14 (10) $175/243
Session 2 3/21 - 5/23* (9) $158/219
*No class on Sunday, April 4th in observance of easter.

Presido Aquatics Club (YPAC) Swim Team

Red lanes (Basic group)
Mon-Fri:  3:30pm - 5:00pm

Blue lanes (intermediate)
Mon-Fri:  7:45 am - 9:00 am -or-
             3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Sat:       6:00 am - 8:00 am

Black lanes (Advanced) 
Mon/Wed/Fri:  6:00 am - 8:00am
Tues/Thurs:    6:00 am- 8:00 am
(dry land)       8:00 am - 9:00 am
Sat:               6:00 am - 8:00 am
(yoga)           8:00 am - 9:00 am

Beginner (Basic) $90/115 month

Intermediate $110/135 month

Advanced $115/140 month

 

Rates

Winter
Session 1 $135/185
Session 2 $135/185

Spring
Session 1 $135/185
Session 2 $135/185
Session 3 $165/230

Register

Register for Youth Water Polo by clicking HERE.

Contact

Jason Castleberry
Aquatics Operations Director
415-447-9676
jcastleberry@ymcasf.org

Youth Water Polo

This new class offers a basic introduction to water polo for beginner youth. Participants must be Fish level or equivalent to join. Elements of water polo to be covered include game rules, ball handling, passing, dribbling, shooting and basic half court offense and defense.

1 Coach: 14 participants

Discount

First mates + water polo package

Sign up your child for both First Mates and Water Polo in the same session and receive a $50 savings!

Schedule

Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Winter
Session 1 1/5 - 1/28
Session 2 2/1 - 2/24

Spring
Session 1 3/2 - 3/25
Session 2 3/30 - 4/22
Session 3 4/27 - 5/27