Dive on in In Y Swim Lessons, participants learn and practice new swimming skills and feel a sense of achievement from mastering something new. Good swimming skills are also important in order to be safe around the water. While participating in fun water sports and games, children also increase their physical activity levels. Participants in Y Swim Lesson are connected to others in the class, make new friends and recognize new role models. The participants are more comfortable and secure around water, as they learn water safety and improve their swim skills. Our Swimming programs change seasonally Search for programs online » At the Cape Ann YMCA, we teach progressive swimming to over 200 children each week. We offer a large variety of classes for people ages 6 months through teens. Our lessons incorporate personal safety, self-rescue, boating safety, swimming skills and the YMCA core values. With our 6-lane, 25-yard pool combined with Cape Ann's outdoor ocean amenities, we have enough water to meet our community's aquatic needs. Parent/Child and Preschool Aquatics (Age 0-6) Our progressive swim lessons help chidlren learn to love the water from the start. Our youngest swimmers are introduced to the aquatic environment by their parents with classes filled with simple songs and games. Parent/child teams have an opportunity to bond, talk and play with others. Parents will learn basic aquatic safety. As children grow and become more confident around the water, they practice blowing bubbles, kicking, paddling and making a splash! Eventually they learn basic paddle stroke skills, kicking skills, pool safety, and correct floatation device use. The most advanced preschool swimmers will then work on the elements of the four swimming strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Youth Swimming (Grades 1 and up) Our progressive swim lessons are convieniently offered in an open format. Simply reserve your time spot and our swim instructors will split the children up into ability groups. Skills covered will be determined by the ability of each group of swimmers. Lesson levels start with basic instruction for the non-swimmer and build to a competiive team level. The four swimming strokes will be covered in addition to pool and boating safety. Our Y is also excited to offer diving lessons on our diving board. Competitive Swimming Our Bronze and Silver Swim Groups are the perfect bridge between swimming lessons and our championship North Shore Sharks Swim Team. Students in Grades K-4 can enroll in these pre-team lessons. For those swimmers who are ready to take the sport to the next level, the YMCA of the North Shore Sharks strives to teach, train and motivate children to achieve their potential in competitive swimming. They create valuable experiences carried throughout life. The teams direction and philosophy applies to the novice as well as the national caliber athlete. Our highly specialized coaching staff emphasizes a 10:1 swimmer to coach ratio, a year-round program, and ability-based practice groups. Learn more about Swim Team » For more information about any Youth and Teen Swim Lessons, please contact Katy Coffey, Youth Services Director, at 978-283-0470 or coffeyk@northshoreymca.org