Berkeley Parents Network: Berkeley YMCA Swim Classes

Berkeley Parents Network

Berkeley YMCA Swim Classes

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Places to Go > Berkeley YMCA Swim Classes

See also: Downtown Berkeley YMCA, and Swim Lessons for Preschool and School Aged Kids, Babies & Toddlers, and Adults

1999

The YMCA has afternoon and early evening lessons for kids in their nicely heated indoor pool. We went there for almost a year, until my daughter graduated to the class that uses the bigger pool that is not as warm. She dosen't like to swim in cold water. This bigger pool is about 84 degrees, but compared to the smaller 92 degree pool it is colder. So we decided to take a break. The teachers there are all trained to work with children of all levels and ages, they always have a lesson devoted to safety, and there is always 5 minutes of free play time at the end of the lesson. I think their program is great for young children learning to swim. Leslie

My 5-yr-old son takes lessons at the downtown Berkeley YMCA. Classes are small and lots of hours are available. Sessions start every 6-8 weeks. A child can get a community membership for $22/year, which lets him/her enroll in many of the programs (including summer camps) at a slightly higher fee than regular members pay. Fran

My son that is 5 now has been going to swim classes at the downtown Berkeley YMCA since he was 3 and 1/2. They have a very good program for kids, starting at 3 years. Classes are 1/2 hour, 2 times a week. The first class is at 4:00 pm and the last one starts at 5:30 pm. They also have Saturday classes, but I don't know much about it. Sessions are 4 weeks long and cost around $40.00 for Community members (membership is $20.00 a year). The beginner levels start in the shallow pool, that usually is not deep for a 3 year old, and the water temperature is around 85 degrees. As they progress in their skills, they move to the deep pool, that ranges from 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 foot in depth and water temperature is around 78 degrees. Class ratios are 4 to 1 for the beginner levels and 6 to 1 for intermediate to advanced levels. My son has been taking classes for almost 1 1/2 year now and I can say that he truly enjoys it. Ana

The downtown Berkeley YMCA offers swim classes starting at 6 months of age with a parent accompanying them in the water, and at 2 years old without the parent. They have both week-day classes and Saturday-only classes.

A 3-year-old would be assigned to the Tadpoles class, which is a good, low-stress preparation for swimming. At that age, they don't try to learn fully developed strokes, but they learn to be comfortable and safe in the water, to put their faces in the water and breath out, and useful things like kicking.

My two older children started taking YMCA swim lessons at 6 months of age and continued for several years. My youngest just started at 4 years old, and loves it. Beverly

This message is in response to the 3 year old swim lessons.

We have just completed the Downtown Berkeley YMCA tadpole swim program (ages 3-5). My daughter is 3-3/4 and was ready to take lessons. The program signs up 5 children per instructor, but in Callie's class there were two instructors and only 3 children.

There are eight lessons per session and there are many time slots. The classes are progressive and your child will be moved up according to ability.

The kids in Callie's class seemed to have a great time and there was no pressure for the kids to perform.

Other YMCA's may have similar programs as well.

Good luck, Denise

Reply to Nancy on Saturday swim classes:
The Downtown Berkeley YMCA on Allston Way holds Saturday morning classes for kids from 3 years up. The half hour classes are held year-round and usually in 8 week sessions. Each session costs $44 for non full-service members. You will need to pay an annual community member fee in order to have your child enroll in the classes. Maximum class size is 5:1; usually there are 3 students to 1 teacher. My 5 year old daughter went year-round for 1 1/2 years and I'm pleased to say that she can swim on her own. I highly recommend the Y's progressive swim program. Call them at 848-9622.

From: Beverly
Subject: Saturday swimming

The YMCA in downtown Berkeley offers Saturday swim classes for children, and I think sign-ups are going on right now. Some of the Saturday time slots fill up very quickly.

Swim classes are indoors, with the younger kids in a shallow, warm pool, and the older kids in a regular, cool pool with a deep end. My kids have taken the classes on and off from the time they were 6 months old (with Mom) to now, when the oldest is 10 years old, and they still enjoy the classes thoroughly.

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