Program Descriptions

These are the Aquatics Programs that we offer at the Haverhill YMCA, if you have an interest in the water please look through what we offer to see if any of our programs interest you.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us so we can try and meet your specific needs.

Parent/Child Classes

1. Shrimp,Kipper,Inia (ages 6-18 months) is a class for the parent and child to enjoy time in the water playing games and singing songs all while being instructed on basic water safety and the skills towards swimming.
2. Perch (ages 19-36months) is a class still having fun in the water as a parent child team but starting to focus on swimming more indepentantly in preperation to swimming on their own in levels to come, they also learn some basic swimming fundamentals, kicking, paddling, and blowing bubbles for example.

Preschool Classes (ages 3-6 years old)

1. Pike is a class focused on the beginner swimmer learning the basics of swimming and adjusting to swimming on their own without a parent.  These children are usually a little uncomfortable in the water on their own and afraid to put their face in the water and need floatation to swim.
2. Eel is a class for the more advavanced beginner still work on their basic strokes but able to move through the water fairly easily on their own and comfortable putting their face in the water.  This level we are trying to push the children to swimming without their floatation.
3. Ray is a class in which the children should be swimming without any floatation and we are working to expand their knowledge of the basic strokes and trying to teach them things like rotary breathing and diving.
4. Starfish is a class for advanced swimmers who have a good foundation for the strokes and we are just continuing to fine tune them to get them moving through the water even faster and start working on their endurance until they are old enough to move up to the youth level.

Youth Classes (ages 6 and up)

1. Polliwog is a class for the beginner youth age group, we are mostly working to get the children over any fears they might have or getting them swimming the length of the pool without any floatation.  We do work on the basics of the strokes and work their way to being more comfortable in the water.
2. Guppy is a class for the children who have a basic understanding of the strokes and do not need any floatation to swim.  We start to really focus on the stroke technique to get them moving through the water easier and longer distances.
3. Minnow is a class for the intermediate children fine tuning the strokes and introducing them to more difficult strokes, competitive swimming basics, and sart to teach them more and more water safety techniques.
4. Fish is a class for the children who know all of the strokes or at least introduced to all competitive strokes and skills, they continue working on them and building endurance as well as learning some survival skills in the water and learning how to react in an emerency.
5. Flying Fish/Shark is a class for the children who have mastered all the strokes and are working hard on building endurance and learning more about water safety, rescue, and what comes after swim lessons in and around the pool.

Exercise Classes

1. Water Aerobics This class is designed to get that heart pumping using the water around us to work as resistance as well as our support. Very good class to help get you more active.
2. Water Walking This class is held completely in the deep end still with aerobics exercises but in a zero gravity environment to reduce strain on your joints but still a good workout.
3. Aqua Yoga This class is relaxing while giving a good workout with progression through poses to tone our muscles and stretch out our bodies.
4. Wet & Wild This class is pretty much the same as Aerobics but a little more high intensity and more structured for those looking for a serious workout.
5. HydroPower Combo This class combines deep and shallow exercises to get a good sampling of both. From time to time we switch from using the aqua belts to the noodles for our floatation.
6. Arthritis Exercis This class is focused on our joints, stretching and improving range of motion not a lot of jumping up and down staying pretty stationary. It is low impact with many different exercises that we stick to repeating each class.

Specialty Programs

Adult Swim Lessons (ages 18 and up) is a class for anyone looking to learn to swim, whether you are a beginner looking to start from the beginning or an experienced swimmer looking to improve your stroke technique, we can help you.  This class we basically work on whatever you want to work on so give it a try.

Guardstart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow (ages 11-14) is a program for youth that provides a foundation of aquatic and leadership knowledge, attitudes, and skills for future successful completion of the Red Cross Lifeguard Training course.  If your child is looking to go beyond just swimming around the water this is the class for them. Prerequisites: Ability to swim the front crawl for 25 yards continuously while breathing to the front or side; ability to tread water for 1 minute using arms and legs; and ability to submerge and swim a distance of 10 feet underwater.

Lifeguard Training (ages 15 and up) is a program to train you to become a lifeguard.  Looking for a summer job this is the class to make that job search an easy one, become a lifeguard.  This is a course that upon completion and passing all tests will produce a Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer certifications.  Prerequisites: Swim 300 yards nonstop using a combination front crawl and breast stroke and retreive a 10 lb object from the deep end and swim it back the length of the pool in 100 seconds.

Adaptive Swim Lessons (ages children-adults) is a swim program for children and adults with special needs. The program includes an introduction to the water and water adjustment activities but it will also be catered to each participants needs. Participants in this program can have a parent or an aide in the water to assist with activities if necessary.

Jr. Paddlers (ages 9-14) is a program designed to teach you child about boating.  We will use our space in the pool to practice boating and how to maneuver the craft in the water.  We will also learn about safety and how to act in an emergency in the water.  This class should be for those who know how to swim but want to learn more about boats out on the water.

Family Flick & Float (all ages) Looking for a little escape from the norm, come join us in our pool for a movie and some fun. We will have a little free swim, a little refreshment and a lot of movie.  Bring your own floats if you have them and join in the family fun.

Private and Semi-Private Lessons (all ages) this is if you are looking for a one on one instructor to student setting or a small group lesson then this is the option for you.  These lessons are set up on an appointment basis we work with you schedule and our own. Semi-private lessons would mean that you provided all the participants for the lessons, we do not put someone in.  This is a good way to get your child over the hump if they just can not seem to do it in group lessons. This also works as a class where whatever you need to work we will focus on that.

Coming Soon:

1. Summer Swim Camps
2. Backyard Summer Swim Lessons
3. Water Polo Haverhill Style
4. April Vacation Week Intensive Lifeguard Course