YMCA Calgary offers Aquatics programs for people as young as three months. If you have never been in the pool before or if you are planning to become a lifeguard, there is a class for you. Swimming lessons are part of the YMCA National Swimming program and taught by experienced, certified instructors. Swimming Instructor, Lifeguard Service and advanced courses such as Bronze Cross, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Star are also offered.

Check out current Aquatics programs for pre-schoolers (three months, to five years), youth (six to 17 years) and adults. We also offer Aquatic leadership programs for people 10 years and older.

Summary of Aquatics Programs | Private Lessons | Course Descriptions | Conversion Chart | Instructor and Lifeguard Qualifications

Private and semi-private lessons

If you're looking to work with our instructors one-on-one or in a smaller group, consider a private or semi-private lesson. Open to people of all ages, these 30-minute lessons can cover anything from skill assessment and learning to swim, to stroke improvement or competition training. Lessons are offered at all branches during varied times (pool space permitting). Call Member Services at the branch of your choice for more information.

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L’il Dippers: Parented Programs 6M to 5Y

Star 1 • 6Y - 17Y Awareness of personal swimming abilities and limits Lifeguard’s role Lifesaving Rookie First-Aid: primary assessment, rescue breathing and getting help Treading water for 90 seconds Intermediate front crawl for 50 metres Initial back crawl for 25 metres Introduction to elementary backstroke 75-metre continuous swim	Star 2 • 6Y - 17Y Lifesaving Society Rookie H2O Proficiency skills: entries, somersaults, strokes, dives, sculls, kicks and distance swims Deep dive Treading water for two minutes Head-first sculling for 10 metres Front and back crawl starts Advanced front crawl for 50 metres Intermediate back crawl for 50 metres Elementary backstroke for 25 metres Introduction to breaststroke 150-metre continuous swim
Star 3 • 6Y - 17Y Lifesaving Society Rookie Recognition and Rescue skills: look and see, recognizing weak or non-swimmers and throwing aids Introduction to eggbeater Feet-first sculling for 10 metres Back crawl turn Advanced back crawl for 50 metres Intermediate elementary backstroke for 50 metres Breaststroke for 25 metres 300-metre continuous swim	Star 4 • 6Y - 17Y Hypothermia and ice safety Demonstrate three reaching assists HELP and HUDDLE positions Lifesaving Society Ranger First-Aid: victim assessment, rescue breathing and emergency care Eggbeater for 60 seconds Breaststroke start and turn Front crawl turn Advanced elementary backstroke for 50 metres Intermediate breaststroke for 50 metres Introduction to sidestroke 400-metre continuous swim
Star 5 • 6Y - 17Y Boating safety and self-rescue Lifesaving Society Ranger H2O Proficiency skills: entries, somersaults, eggbeater, various distance swims and victim recovery, carry and removal Eggbeater for two minutes Introduction to five synchronized swimming skills Advanced breaststroke for 50 metres Sidestroke for 25 metres Introduction to butterfly 500-metre continuous swim	Star 6 • 6Y - 17Y Lifesaving Society Ranger Recognition and Rescue Award skills: recognize and evaluate victims, locate and describe objects below water surface or on bottom of pool and non-contact rescue with buoyant aid First-aid and victim rescue skills Intermediate sidestroke for 50 metres Butterfly for 25 metres Introduction to waltz crawl, inverted breaststroke and double overarm backstroke 600-metre continuous swim Introduction to two synchronized swimming skills Introduction to three water polo skills Assist/teach a swim skill
Master Swimmer • 6Y - 17Y Lifesaving Society Star Patrol H2O Proficiency and Rescue and Recognition skills: dives and entries with aids, defenses, eggbeater variations, supporting and carrying objects, towing and removing victims, distance swims, and perform and recognize whistle signals Advanced front and back crawl for 50 metres Advanced elementary backstroke for 50 metres Advanced breaststroke and sidestroke for 50 metres Intermediate butterfly for 50 metres 700-metre continuous swim Breaststroke, front and back crawl starts and turns Assist/teach with an instructor for six hours Demonstrate knowledge of aquatic leadership

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