
Swim Lessons
Learn to Swim. Build Confidence. Stay Safe.
For generations, families have trusted the YMCA of East Tennessee to teach swimming and water safety skills that last a lifetime. With certified instructors and a proven curriculum, our swim lessons help children and adults of all abilities gain confidence and feel comfortable in the water.



Lessons for Every Age and Skill Level
Our swim lesson program is designed to meet every swimmer where they are — from first splashes to competitive readiness. Lessons are available year-round at multiple branches.
Parent/Child Swim Lessons

(Ages 6 Months – 3 Years)
Bond with your little one while introducing them to the water in a safe, playful setting. Instructors help children feel comfortable, teaching parents how to support early water movement and safety skills.
- Level 1: Water Discovery – Build comfort for infants and toddlers in the water
- Level 2: Water Exploration –Explore body positions, blowing bubbles, water safety, and introduce swim skills
Preschool Swim Lessons

(Ages 3 – 5)
Preschool swim lessons focus on comfort with underwater exploration, increasing forward movement in the water, and introducing fundamental swim strokes. Swimmers also learn basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance by a certified swim instructor.
- Level 1: Water Acclimation – Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
- Level 2: Water Movement –Encourages forward movement in the water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.
- Level 3: Water Stamina – Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages.
Youth Swim Lessons

(Ages 6 – 12)
Swimmers progress through a series of skill levels, learning stroke technique, endurance, and water safety. Instructors focus on comfort in deep and shallow water, as well as independence.
- Level 1: Water Acclimation –Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
- Level 2: Water Movement –Encourages forward movement in the water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.
- Level 3: Water Stamina – Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages.
- Level 4: Stroke Introduction – Introduces proper stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and reinforces water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke.
- Level 5: Stroke Development – Introduces breast-stroke and butterfly components and reinforces water safety through treading water and sidestroke.
Teen & Adult Swim Lessons

(Ages 13+)
It’s never too late to learn to swim! Our adult lessons are designed for beginners and intermediate swimmers who want to improve their confidence, technique, and fitness in the water.


