Aquatics

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Swim Lessons

The YMCA offers an extensive learn-to-swim program for all ages. Whether you are a non-swimmer or looking for advanced techniques, the YMCA has a program for you. Learn about all of your swim lesson options with our Aquatics Program Brochure or the links below. Whether you are looking for a group lesson, private lesson or semi-private lesson, we have a class to suit your needs.

To determine your child’s level, download our swim lesson selector.

Swim Lesson Schedule –  January and February lessons

Infant, Toddler & Preschool age skills

Youth and Adult skills

Infant & Toddler

Ages: 6 months to 3 years old

• Water Discovery – being comfortable in and around the water
• Water Exploration – body position, blowing bubbles, mild submersion and safety skills

Goals: Infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.

Miscellaneous:

• Parent/Guardian must accompany child in the water.
• Children must wear a bathing suit and swim diaper.

Pre-School

Ages: 3 years – 5 years old

• Water Entry – sliding in, jumping and basic self-rescue skills
• Water Acclimation – increase comfort with underwater exploration and breathing
• Water Movement – encourages forward movement in water and basic stroke technique
• Water Stamina – develops movement and self-rescue skills at longer distances

Goals: Pre-schoolers will learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency.

Miscellaneous:

• Guardian no longer accompanies child in water
• Appropriate swim attire required
• Class progression is determined by the skills of the group
• Classes taken in succession are most effective
• 1:4 instructor to participant ratio

Youth

Ages: 5 years – 12 years old

• Water Acclimation – increase comfort with underwater exploration and breathing
• Water Movement – encourages forward movement in water and basic stroke technique
• Water Stamina – develops movement and self-rescue skills at longer distances
• Stroke Introduction – introduces basic stroke technique and reinforces water safety
• Stroke Mechanics – refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as a part of a healthy lifestyle.

Goals: School age swimmers will learn waters safety skills, build stroke technique and endurance, while developing skills that will increase social-emotional and cognitive well-being.

Miscellaneous:

• Class progression is determined by the skills of the group
• Classes taken in succession are most effective
• Advanced youth must be able to swim the full length of the pool
• 1:6 instructor to participant ratio

Teen / Adult

Ages: 13 years and older

• Water Acclimation – increase comfort with underwater exploration and breathing
• Water Movement – encourages forward movement in water and basic stroke technique
• Water Stamina – develops movement and self-rescue skills at longer distances
• Stroke Introduction – introduces basic stroke technique and reinforces water safety
• Stroke Development – develops proper stroke technique and breathing and reinforces water safety
• Stoke Mechanics – refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as a part of a healthy lifestyle.

Goals: Through group drills and individual attention, we instruct new and apprehensive swimmers as well as those looking to correct their strokes.  Teen age and adult swimmers will learn water movement and stroke technique, while developing skills that prevent chronic disease, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

Miscellaneous:

• Class progression is determined by the skills of the group
• Great class for those who are afraid of the water or never had an opportunity to learn how to swim
• Classes taken in succession are most effective
• 1:6 Instructor to participant ratio

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Flying Fish Swim Team

The Sumter YMCA Flying Fish gives everyone a great opportunity to achieve his or her potential! Our mission is to provide a safe environment where children can learn, improve, and enjoy the sport of swimming.

On our year-round swim team, every member has a place and every swimmer is important to our success! We offer multiple competitive and developmental groups for swimmers ages 5-21. Swimmers gain experience through YMCA and USA Swimming competitions. Many members enjoy our family and team-first atmosphere, which is easy to see at meets, social events and team practices.

Swim Team Registration Form

Swim Team Flyer

Current Meet Flyer

Code of Conduct

Ages: 5 -21

Cost: $25 YMCA annual registration fee

Swim team fees are based on skill level and membership. Download the Swim Team Flyer above for levels and prices.

Thinking about signing up?

Contact our aquatics office to schedule a swim test to determine your swim team level at 803-774-2495

Sumter YMCA Swim Team Records can be viewed through this LINK.

Sumter YMCA Flying Fish earns 10% of every purchase to help buy team equipment.  Click here.

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Lap Swim and Fitness Swim

Whether you want to swim laps on your own or do your own fitness workout in the pool, we have special times set aside for these activities. Please check our current schedules HERE for the Warm Water Deck Pool and the Austin Francis Cool Water Pool.

Lap Swim

Lap Swimming Tips: Please enter the pool from the shallow end. To avoid accidents, when entering an occupied lane, please get the first swimmer’s acknowledgment that you are there.

Directions for Adult Lap: If there are 1 or 2 swimmers in a lane, they may elect to split the lane in half. The entrance of a third person immediately changes the lane to “circle” swimming format.

Speed: Please choose a lane with swimmers that most nearly match your speed.

Reservations: At this time we are asking members to reserve their swim times in advance to assist us with our COVID-19 capacity guidelines. Reservations are available on our homepage, through our mobile app or by contacting member services.

View our schedules on the Schedules Page

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Family Swim

Ages: All

During this unstructured swim time, families can enjoy our facility. Flotation aids other than U. S. Coast Guard approved life vests are not permitted at any time.

See our current pool schedules HERE.

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Swim Testing

The YMCA reserves the right to swim test all children under the age of 16 in order to prevent drownings and accidents. We strictly enforce this policy to ensure the safety of the children who use our pools.

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