Your health and safety are our top priority. In compliance with the latest CDC and MDH recommendations, amid rising Delta variant transmission and COVID-19 cases in the Twin Cities, YWCA Minneapolis will require face coverings to be worn by everyone – both vaccinated and unvaccinated – when inside our facilities, effective September 13. Learn More
Swimming can be relaxing or competitive, solitary or group-oriented — but it should always be enjoyable and safe! At YWCA Minneapolis, we provide support and lessons for every swimmer, regardless of age or ability. Whether you’ve got a future member of our Otters Swim Team on your hands or you’re hoping to improve your own stroke technique, we have the perfect course to fit you or your family’s needs.
Group swim lessons offer an excellent opportunity for infants, toddlers, youth and adults alike to develop their skills, learn water safety and gain confidence in a supportive environment. YWCA Minneapolis boasts a wide range of swimming courses year round, covering all ages and abilities.
In our selection of courses, you’ll find classes for children and adults who are just beginning to swim, as well as more advanced options for swimmers looking to refine their technique. Our courses are appropriately separated by age, and some advanced classes require participants to be comfortable with certain swimming milestones before enrolling.
We’ve developed a plan and process to help keep everyone safe. Click here to read our full policies and processes.
YWCA Midtown
YWCA Midtown
YWCA Uptown
YWCA Uptown
Participating child(ren) must be a YWCA Minneapolis member to receive the member rate.
Early Fall 2021 (7 weeks)
September 11 – October 28
Online registration for members starts: August 30
Open registration opens: September 1
Late Fall 2021 (7 weeks)
October 30 – December 19
Online registration for members starts: October 18
Open registration opens: October 20
Please have the class information (code) and a credit card ready.
Members can also register on the “MY YWCA” app (Download on App Store or Google Play Store™ )
Questions? Email swimlessons@ywcampls.org or leave a voicemail at 612-215-4342.
Explore below for our full list of group swim classes.
NOTE: Classes may be combined with similar level classes. Participants will still be taught at an appropriate skill level based on their ability and readiness.
View upcoming swim classes and descriptions below.
Introduces basic skills, including safety topics, to parent and infant/toddler. Develops comfort in the water. Prerequisites: Child must be at least 6 months old. Adult or household member 15 or old must accompany infant/toddler in water.
Preschoolers learn to enjoy the water safely and perform basic skills in the water. The class will work on progressing the children's independent waters skills with support.
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Build basic skills and progress towards swimming fundamentals. Prerequisites: Student must have successfully completed Preschool level 1 or equivalent skills.
Learn to be safe in and around water. Build basic skills and progress towards swimming fundamentals.
Level 3 builds on basic skills learned in beginner class. Develop fundamental stroke and safety skills and explore skill practice in deeper water. Prerequisites: Able to float on front and back independently for at least 15 seconds. Swim for at least 5 body lengths using combined arm and leg action on both front and back. Pass Preschool Level 3 or Learn to Swim Level 2.
Improves fundamental skills and introduces advanced safety topics and strokes (breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly). Prerequisites: Able to jump into deep water and swim 15 yards of front crawl, float or tread water for 30 seconds in deep water and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.
Our older beginner class is perfect for non-swimming kids who are ages 9 - 16.
Learn to be safe, in and around the water. Build basic skills (e.g. floating, breathing) and progress towards swimming fundamentals (forward movement).
Build on basic skills learned in beginner class. Develop fundamental stroke and safety skills and explore skill practice in deeper water. Prerequisites: Able to float on front and back independently for at least 15 seconds. Swim for at least 5 body lengths using combined arm and leg action on both front and back.
