The Y introduced group swim lessons more than 100 years ago, and that commitment to water safety continues today. At the YMCA of Greater Birmingham, we help children across our community build the skills and confidence they need to be safer in and around water through. Lessons are offered for all ages and abilities. Financial assistance is available. YMCA members save 50% on group swim lessons.
Swim Starters (Parent/Child) | Stages A & B | Water Discovery/Water Exploration
With a parent, 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.
Swim Basics | Stages 1-3 | Water Acclimation/Water Movement/Water Stamina
These stages are perfect for students who are new to swimming and just learning to float and swim with assistance. Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills: 1. Swim, float, swim, and 2. Jump, push, turn, grab.
Swim Strokes | Stages 4-6 | Stroke Introduction/Stroke Development/Stroke Mechanics
These stages are perfect for someone comfortable swimming 10-15 yards on their front and back, but needs help learning strokes and increasing endurance to swim longer distances
From first strokes to competition-ready technique, our swim team programs meet swimmers where they are — try our Intro to Swim Team for beginners, Swim Team Conditioning to stay race-ready year-round, or our Stroke Clinic for focused, level-based coaching.
Swim Birmingham YMCA offers competitive swim team opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities, from first-time racers to seasoned athletes. We offer both year-round and summer swim teams, led by certified coaches who build technique, endurance, and confidence in the water.
Red to Green provides Day Campers who are unable to pass the YMCA Swim Test the opportunity to take FREE swim lessons during their camp day if their parent opts in. The goal is build confident swimmers who are capable of going from “red to green.” Registration is completed as part of the Day Camp registration process.
Through Safety Around Water, children and adults learn fundamental water safety and swimming skills and how to respond if they find themselves in unexpected water situations.
Swim Starters (Parent/Child) | Stages A & B | Water Discovery/Water Exploration
With a parent, 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.
Swim Basics | Stages 1-3 | Water Acclimation/Water Movement/Water Stamina
These stages are perfect for students who are new to swimming and just learning to float and swim with assistance. Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills: 1. Swim, float, swim, and 2. Jump, push, turn, grab.
Swim Strokes | Stages 4-6 | Stroke Introduction/Stroke Development/Stroke Mechanics
These stages are perfect for someone comfortable swimming 10-15 yards on their front and back, but needs help learning strokes and increasing endurance to swim longer distances
AGE GROUPS:
Parent-Child: 6 months – 3 years old (Stages A & B)
Preschool: 3 – 5 years old (Stages 1-4)
Youth: 6-12 years old (Stages 1-6)
Teen: 13-17 years old (Stages 1-6)
Adult: 18+ years old (Stages 1-6)
Member value: YMCA members pay half price for swim lessons! If you are not a member, consider joining us today!
CANCELLATION POLICIES: Classes with fewer than 3 participants may be cancelled. Participants will receive notice of any cancellations before the class start date. Aquatics staff will make every effort to reschedule registrations if a class is cancelled. If a class is cancelled by the Y and registrations cannot be rescheduled, participants will receive a full refund.
Please click on the LESSON SELECTOR GUIDE below to help you select the proper class, and then click your age group below to register!
Swim Basics | Stages 1-3 | Water Acclimation/Water Movement/Water Stamina
These stages are perfect for students who are new to swimming and just learning to float and swim with assistance. Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills: 1. Swim, float, swim, and 2. Jump, push, turn, grab.
Swim Strokes | Stages 4-6 | Stroke Introduction/Stroke Development/Stroke Mechanics
These stages are perfect for someone comfortable swimming 10-15 yards on their front and back, but needs help learning strokes and increasing endurance to swim longer distances
AGE GROUPS:
Teen: 13-17 years old (Stages 1-6)
Adult: 18+ years old (Stages 1-6)
CANCELLATION POLICIES: Classes with fewer than 3 participants may be cancelled. Participants will receive notice of any cancellations before the class start date. Aquatics staff will make every effort to reschedule registrations if a class is cancelled. If the Y cancels a class and registrations cannot be rescheduled, participants will receive a full refund.
Please click on the LESSON SELECTOR GUIDE below to help you select the proper class. Then, click on your age group below to register.
Dive into the fun with our private swim lessons tailor-made for youth and adults!
These private sessions aren’t just about perfecting your backstroke or mastering the butterfly; they’re about making a splash and having a blast while doing it. We welcome swimmers of all skill levels, from those with special needs who need a little extra support to more experienced swimmers, and adults too!
Check out our private swim lessons by clicking the button below!
