Swim Basics

Recommended Skills for All to Have Around Water

Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two water safety benchmark skills from our YMCA V6 curriculum:
  • Swim, float, swim — sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide and exit
  • Jump, push, turn, grab 

By learning these lifesaving skills, we can help prevent drowning in our communities through water safety.

See below for registration links and keep scrolling to learn more about our swim stages plus additional details!

 

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Nir Family YMCA

2710 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28403
 

Registration - Preschool (3-5)

Registration - Youth (5-12)

 

Sampson County YMCA

417 E Johnson Street
Clinton, NC 28328
 

Registration - Preschool (3-5)

Registration - Youth (5-12)

Classes must have a minimum of 3 participants in order to hold the class. If there are less than that the swim instructors reserve the right to combine classes with similar goals and abilities or cancel the class.

Stage 1  |  Water Acclimation

Preschool 3-5 years, Youth 5-12 years, Teen & Adult 13+ years

This stage is for beginner swimmers to start developing comfort in the water and start to learn how to safely exit a body of water in the event of falling in.
 
Instructor to Student Ratio

1:4 for preschool and 1:6 for youth

Qualifications

None

Stage 2  |  Water Movement

Preschool 3-5 years, Youth 5-12 years, Teen & Adult 13+ years

In Stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
 
Instructor to Student Ratio

1:4 for preschool and 1:6 for youth

Qualifications
  • Able to go under water with or without goggles
  • Able to float on front & back with minimal assistance
  • Able to jump in the pool, submerge & return to the wall with assistance

Stage 3  |  Water Stamina

Preschool 3-5 years, Youth 5-12 years, Teen & Adult 13+ years

In Stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.  Children will be able to swim completely independently after completing this stage.
 
Instructor to Student Ratio

1:4 for preschool and 1:6 for youth

Qualifications
  • Able to float on front & back unassisted
  • Able to push off the wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet with minimal assistance/unassisted
  • Able to swim-float-swim 15 feet with minimal assistance/unassisted
  • Able to jump into deep water and return to the wall with minimal assistance/unassisted

Cost Per Session

Y Member: $75 / 8-classes 
Y Member: $40 / 4-classes 
 
Non-Member: $105 / 8-classes 
Non-Member: $60 / 4-classes

Session Dates 2025

Nir Family YMCA

  • Swim lessons run on a monthly basis and are offered year-round.

Sampson County YMCA

  • Tuesday/Thursday Dates:
    • May 6 - May 29
    • June 3 - June 24 (June 26 lesson will be held on June 6 instead)
    • July 1 - July 24
    • August 5 - August 28
    • September 2 - September 25
    • October 2 - October 23
    • November 4 - November 20
    • December 2 - December 18
  • Saturday Dates:
    • May 3 - May 24
    • June 7 - June 28 
    • July 5 - July 12
    • August 2 - August 23
    • September 6 - September 27
    • October 4 - October 25
    • November 1 - November 22
    • December 6 - December 20
  

Registration

Nir Family YMCA:

Registration - Preschool (3-5)

Registration - Youth (5-12)

 

Sampson County YMCA:

Registration - Preschool (3-5)

Registration - Youth (5-12)

Locations

Nir Family YMCA
2710 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28403
 
Sampson County YMCA
417 E Johnson Street
Clinton, NC 28328