Presidio

Benefits

Register only ONCE

Once you enroll, you are guaranteed your spot from that point forward.

Sign up for any combination of days

With this our registration system you can enroll for once or twice a week on any day our program is offered. Sign up for any combination of days that are convenient to your schedule. It is recommended during summer months to take advantage of daily lessons.

Registration

Registration is EASY!

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!

Group Lessons: Class Schedules

Make-Ups

We offer make-up lessons during the following times:

Friday: 3:00PM-5:30PM
Sunday: 2:00PM-5:00PM 

TOP OF PAGE

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.

Parent/Child Program | ages 6 months - 3 years

Shrimp | 6 months - 3 years | 30 minute class
The Shrimp Parent/Child Lesson embodies our commitment to getting every child familiar with the water. In the lesson, your little ones will learn the fun of swimming as they are taught basic water skills, while you learn handy ways to help them grow and develop as natural swimmers. We intend the Shrimp class to be more of a basic introduction to the parent/child program. This class is meant to get your child comfortable and adjusted to the pool. Once you and your child are familiar with the basic elements of this program, they graduate into the Perch classes.

Perch | 12 months - 3 years | 30 minute class
(Must have completed at least one session of Shrimp)
The Perch parent/child lesson is the next step in helping your child become comfortable and happy in the water. Building off skills learned in the Shrimp lessons, you and your child will continue to develop basic swimming skills, while increasing your child’s comfort and confidence within the water. Perch level parents and children also have increased one on one time with the instructor, as the instructor helps your child overcome what boundaries they still have in the water.

Kipper | 18 months - 3 years | 30 minute class
(Must have completed a minimum of 3 sessions of Perch and received instructor referral.)
The Kipper Parent/Child Lesson is the final step in building your young child’s confidence in the water. It is intended to be the last class before your child becomes an independent swimmer and will work to develop those final steps every child needs. As a member of the Kipper Class, your child will become comfortable moving through the water independently from parent to instructor and will be introduced to the big pool on a more regular basis. Kipper class will still be full of group games and songs and your child will experience even more one on one time with the instructor to prepare them for the transition to the Pike class.

INSTRUCTOR REFERRAL REQUIRED. 

All Parent/Child classes have a ratio of 1 instructor to 12 participants.

 TOP OF PAGE

Preschool Program | ages 3-5 years

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

Pike | ages 3-5 years | 30 minute class
(Beginners, no prerequisites)
The first of our four preschool program classes, the Pike Swim Class will teach your child the basics of adjusting to full water immersion and how to be safe in the pool through fun and educational games. We will also teach your child basic water skills, like how to float on their own and introducing them to elementary backstroke. In the Pike class, your child will also have fun playing games designed to get them used to having their face wet and their body moving.

Eel | ages 3-5 years | 30 minute class
(Prerequisites: Must be comfortable putting face in water & able to perform a front float/ back float unassisted)
The Eel Swim Class is the next step in our method of teaching your child easy and effective ways to move through the water. We will introduce them to basic crawl and backstroke, focusing on getting their arms out of the water and flutter kicking. We also teach them how to kick both on their front and on their back. Eel class builds on themes taught in the Pike class while still showing your child how to have fun in the pool while still remaining safe and comfortable.

Ray | ages 3-5 years | 30 minute class
(Prerequisites: Must be able to swim 10 yards of crawl stroke & back stroke unassisted)
In the Ray Swim Class, we will teach your child efficient swimming techniques. Rays will learn how to enhance the strokes they learned as Eels, as well as learn how to dolphin kick, dive from a kneeling position and how to tread water. Ray Swim Class also increases your child’s strength and endurance, and helps shape them into proficient swimmers and athletes later down the line.

Starfish | ages 3-5 years | 30 minute class
(Prerequisites: Must be able to swim 15 yards of crawl stroke and back stroke unassisted)
When your young child has graduated the Starfish Swim Class, your child will be able to competently swim all four strokes. In this class, we will teach your child more efficient ways to swim crawl and backstroke, as well as introduce them to the basics of breaststroke and butterfly. Additionally, the Starfish Class is designed to foster your child’s ease and ability within the pool, so that, whether they are playing or exercising, they will never feel at danger in the water.

Instructor to Student Ratios are: 1 instructor to 4 Pikes, 1 instructor to 5 Eels, 1 instructor to 5 Rays & 1 instructor to 6 Starfish

TOP OF PAGE

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.

Pre-Polliwog | ages 6-14 years | 30 minute class
(Beginner, no prerequisites)
In the Pre-Polliwog class, beginning children or young teens will learn basic floats and breath control, as well as become acquainted with being submersed in water. Students will begin in our shallow pool learning floats and breath control, and will later be introduce to our larger pool to reinforce comfort and safety in all depths of water.

Polliwog | ages 6-14 years | 30 minute class
(Prerequisites: Must be able to submerge, float on front/back, and perform water bobs)
The Polliwog class is the next step towards teaching your child how to be safe and have fun in the water. This class will build on many of the skills learned in Pre-Polliwog. In this class, basic water skills will be reinforced and students will be taught basic crawl and backstroke. We will also focus on water safety as your child becomes a more confident swimmer in the water.

Guppy | ages 6-14 years | 30 minute class
(Prerequisites: Must be able to swim 15 yards of crawl stroke and back stroke)
The Guppy class expands on knowledge gained in previous classes and marks the third step in our goal of teaching every child in our community how to swim. Students will continue developing skills learned in Polliwog into more streamlined and efficient ways of moving through the water and we will also introduce breaststroke into your child’s repertoire, teaching how to pull, kick and breathe efficiently. Guppies will also learn how to tread water effectively in the deep end of the pool, enabling them to be safe in any aquatic environment. Finally, students will be taught basic rescue skills.

Minnow | ages 6-14 years | 30 minute class
(Prerequisites: Must be able to swim 25 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and elementary backstroke
By now your child should be feeling safe and confident in the water, as we build upon skills previously learned in the Guppy class. Minnow class will focus on boosting coordination by emphasizing technique for both crawl and backstroke. In this class, we will continue working on breaststroke as well as introduced dolphin kick, a crucial component to butterfly stroke.

Fish | ages 6-14 years | 40 minute class
(Participants must be able to swim 50 yards of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke)
By the end of the Fish class, your child will be able to swim all four competitive strokes efficiently and effectively, and will also be a stronger and more coordinated swimmer. Fish will be refining all their strokes including the newly learned butterfly stroke. In addition to these four strokes, Fish will begin learning elements of competitive swimming. Participants will also develop leadership skills through supporting and learning to teach each other.

Flying Fish | ages 6-14 years | 40 minute class
(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)
The final step in our swim program, the Flying Fish class will focus on the final steps for making your child into an efficient swimmer. In this class, we will teach them all the competitive turns, and advanced stroke technique to reduce energy expenditure while swimming. By the end of this class, your child will be ready to join the First Mates Pre-Swim Team if interested, and will be a confident and coordinated individual in life as well. This class is preparing each swimmer for a future in the pool, whether it is on a swim team, becoming a lifeguard or being a proficient lap swimmer.

Instructor Student Ratios:
1 instructor to 5 Pre-Polliwogs or Polliwogs, 1 instructor to 6 Guppys, 1 instructor to 7 Minnows, 1 instructor to 8 Fish or Flying Fish

TOP OF PAGE

Cancellations

There are no contracts so you can discontinue your lessons at any time with a minimum of 30 days notice prior to the month you would like to cancel (ie: Cancellations for July would need a June 1st written notice). All cancels are handled by email at mmcmahon@ymcasf.org

Advancement

The instructor will let you know when your child advances to the next level. When he/she does, contact mmcmahon@ymcasf.org with the level, time and day you would like to move your child into.

Make-up Classes

Make up classes are available Fridays from 3:00PM - 5:30PM and on Sundays from 2:00PM - 5:00PM. If a participant needs to miss a swim class, one free make-up class per month is available during these times. Contact Don Conrad, dconrad@ymcasf.org for make ups.

Make up Policies

• All make up classes must be scheduled for Fridays or Sundays.
• All participants are allowed 1 make up lesson opportunity per each month of enrollment (Based on 4 weeks of lessons per month=1 make up opportunity).
• All make up opportunities must be used within 30 days of the missed lesson, make up lessons are not transferable from month to month.
• In order to be scheduled for make up lessons the participant must be currently enrolled in the group swim lesson program.
• If you schedule a make up lesson and either do not participate or are not able to attend the make up opportunity will be lost. (In other words, You cannot make up make up’s).
• Make up lessons may be scheduled if any of the following occur- Pool emergency, Red Cap drill, Pool closure due to contamination, pool closure due to facility safety concerns, or unforeseen changes in general pool scheduling.
• ALL Make up lessons need to be arranged Via email and can be sent to Don Conrad at- dconrad@ymcasf.org
• Make up participants must be signed in at the front desk of the letterman pool in order to participate in the make up lesson.
• Make up scheduling is subject to availability.

Private & Semi-Private Lesson Program | ages 3 years+

Private Lessons
We believe when swimming is learned early, it is the building block for life. Learning these skills is exactly what we offer in personal, one-on-one swim lessons with a certified YMCA swim instructor. Whether your child has just started swimming, or they’re looking to refine their strokes, our private lessons are tailored to your child’s needs. Private lessons help boost swimming coordination and confidence. Let our safe environment and nurturing swim instructors turn your child into a happy confident swimmer.

Semi-Private Lessons
Semi-Private lessons are offered to friends, siblings, or companions of similar levels and are tailored to the needs of the participants. This option is a great alternative to large group lessons. Let our certified swim instructors boost your child’s coordination and endurance both in and out of the water. Our safe environment and nurturing swim instructors are here to transform your children into happy confident swimmers.

Personal Training
Personal Training is available for intermediate to advanced level swimmers who are looking for guided/personalized endurance training. See the benefit from working one-on-one with a personal training swim instructor. Personal training swim lessons are tailored to the needs of each individual participant. With a range of instructors and times throughout the week, personal training swim lessons are the perfect alternative to focusing on specific swimming skills. Each session is 30 minutes in length.

Location

Letterman Pool
1151 Gorgas Ave.
San Francisco, CA
94129
P 415 447 9680

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

The First Mates Pre-Swim Team gives children and teens the opportunity to discover what they can achieve in a group. It is a stepping stone between the highest level Flying Fish swimming class and the Presidio’s competitive youth swim team. Through this program, participants incorporate skills they have learned in their swimming lessons and learn how to cultivate them in a competitive sphere, working on skills such as diving, endurance and efficient stroke technique, all in a stress-free, non-competitive atmosphere. Although the First Mates is geared towards the participant eventually joining the Presidio Aquatic Club Swim Team, participation with the competitive team is not mandatory—participants can use the First Mates as a chance to exercise and socialize with friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

There is a 1:8 coach to swimmer ratio on the team.

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

The Presidio Aquatic Club “Pirates” is a year-round competitive youth and teen swim team that was formed in 2005 in order to foster strong and healthy children in a caring and encouraging environment. Participants compete in USA Swimming official meets involving teams from the Bay Area and surrounding counties roughly once a month, as well as in a summer league from June to August against other teams in the city of San Francisco. Participants learn and refine such things as stroke technique, endurance, and speed on the team, as well as participate in leadership and team building activities. Potential swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards of each stroke, as well as 500 yards of freestyle and be familiar with all competitive turns. Tryouts can be scheduled through Coach David Fisher. We look forward to building our team and look forward to another great year.

Schedules

First Mates Swim Team

2x Weekly Practice:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:00pm - 6:00pm
6:00pm - 7:00pm

1x Weekly Practice (choose one of the following):
Mondays
5:15PM - 6:15PM

Wednesdays
5:15PM - 6:15PM

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

Presidio Aquatic Club (YPAC)

Red, Blue & Black lane schedules listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Swim Lesson Registration FAQ's:

1. Can I register online?
   No. Like almost any bank draft system, the first time you register you do so in person. There is no need to register online in the future because you are automatically enrolled going forward as a benefit of the draft system.
2. What if I don’t have a checking account?
   In addition to a checking account, we also except Visa or MasterCard.
3. What if I want to cancel my registration?
   There is no contract so you can discontinue your lessons at any time with a minimum of 30 days notice prior to the month you would like to cancel. All cancels are handled by email at mmcmahon@ymcasf.org
4. What if my child advances a level?
   The instructor will let you know when your child advances to the next level. When he/she does, contact Courtney Reed to switch to the advanced level: mmcmahon@ymcasf.org
5. Can I still sign up for a single month?
   Yes, although cancellations require 30 days notice, so you would need to tell us at the time you are registering that it is only for one month.
6. What is the benefit of having twice-a-week lessons versus once a week?
   We recommend that all children participate in twice a week classes if their schedule permits in order to see the most benefit/advancement.
7. What about adult lessons & first mates?
   All of our group lessons utilize the same registration system. Tuesday/Thursday first mates are twice a week classes.
8. What if I sign up late?
   We do not offer pro-rates for late enrollment, however you can enroll up to a week late into the month.
9. What if I miss a class?
   We offer 1 make-up class a month per participant. Make up classes are based on availability. Make-ups must be fulfilled within 30 days of the missed class. Contact Don Conrad at 415-447-9680 or dconrad@ymcasf.org.
10. What about holidays?
    Most major Holidays are taken into account in the monthly bank draft however if there is a month were there are only 3 lessons you can schedule a make up class. Contact Don Conrad at 415-447-9680 or dconrad@ymcasf.org.