Swim Lessons

For pricing, please see our most current program brochure. Our brochure is available for download by clicking here.

Preschool Swim Lessons  (Ages 6 months thru Kindergarten)
Classes follow YMCA of the USA guidelines for Preschool Aquatic Program. Shrimp, Kipper, Inia and Perch are parent-child classes for children ages 6 months through 36 months. Parents attend class with their child and join in all activities. Pike, Eel, Ray and Starfish are for children ages three thru kindergarten where children attend class independently.

S.K.I.P.  (6-36 months) 
Parent must remain in the water the entire class.
Shrimp 6-8 months     Kipper 9-12 months      Inia 13-18 months       Perch 19-36 months
Swim lessons for the S.K.I.P (Shrimp, Kipper, Inia, Perch) levels focus on bonding with your child, water adjustment, safety skills for both the parent and child, and the fundamentals of swimming. Some classes at this level may be combined.

Pike w/ Parent  (3yrs. - 1st grade)
This is a transitional class for children not ready to be apart from mom and dad.  The goal is to wean the child away from the parents and to teach swimming skills while interacting with the instructor. The focus is on trust.

Pike  (3yrs. - 1st grade)
Swim 15 ft. with flotation; 5 ft. without. Perform front, back and side paddle, front float, back float and pole climb.  Can be performed with help (pike w/ parent).

Eel  (3yrs. - 1st grade)
Swim 25 yds. w/ flotation; 15 ft. without. Perform front, back and side paddle, front float, back float and pole climb. Can be performed with help (pike w/ parent).

Ray  (3yrs. - 1st grade) 
Will be able to swim 20 ft. without flotation. Skills learned include: front alternating paddle with rhythmic breathing, back alternating paddle, side paddle, front symmetrical paddle, back symmetrical paddle, tread water and 10 bobs.

Starfish  (3yrs. - 1st grade)
Swim 40 ft. without flotation. Perform front alternating paddle with rhythmic breathing, back alternating paddle, side paddle, front symmetrical paddle, back symmetrical paddle, tread water and 10 bobs.

P.E.R.S.  (Pike, Eel, Ray, Starfish)
Lessons build on the above skills and also include stroke development, rescue skills, water sports and games, and moving the child toward independence in the water. Lesson groups are determined by the swimmer’s ability and age.

Youth Swim Lessons  (Ages 1st grade to 12 years)
Come learn everything aquatic! YMCA swim lessons are progressive and perfect for children to learn water skills. Participants learn and enhance their skills in each of the five following areas: stroke development, safety, rescue skills, water sports and games plus personal growth. Lesson groups are determined by the swimmer’s current ability. Student must be able to perform the skills listed below in order to enroll into the next level. If you have any questions about the level your child should enroll or participate in please contact John Osborn, West Cook YMCA Aquatic Director at 708-434-0220 or Aquatic Supervisor Jerome Flasch at 708-434-0221. They will arrange to have your child evaluated for the correct level to enroll.

Polliwog - Beginner with little or no experience.

Guppy - Must be able to paddle on front 25 yds. with float belt, 20 ft. without. Paddle on back 25 yds. with float belt, 20 ft. without. Paddle on side 25 yds. with float belt, 20 ft. without.

Minnow - Front alternating paddle. Rudimentary rhythmic breathing 25 yds. with and without IFD. Front symmetrical paddle 25 yds. Side alternating paddle 25 yds. Back alternating paddle 25 yds. Back symmetrical paddle 25 yds.

Fish - Front alternating paddle 25 yds. wtih rudimentary overarm stroke and rotary breathing. Front rudimentary breaststroke 25 yds. Rudimentary side stroke with scissors kick 25 yds. Back alternating overarm stroke 25 yds. Back symmetrical rudimentary elementary backstroke 25yds.

Flying Fish - Crawl stroke 50 yds. with rotary breathing; open turns. Breaststroke 50 yds. with pull, kick, glide; open turns. Elementary backstroke 50 yds. with glide. Back crawl 50 yds. with roll; bent arm; open turns. Sidestroke 50 yds. with scissors kick with glide. Butterfly 25 yds. with fins, 15 yds. without.

Shark - Crawl stroke 100 yds. with bilateral breathing; open turns. Breaststroke 100 yds. with open turns. Elementary backstroke 100 yds. with glide. Back crawl 100 yds. with open turns. Sidestroke 100 yds. (alternating sides), regular kick. Lifesaving sidestroke 50 yds. Butterfly 25 yds. with fins and 15 yds. without fins.

Water Fitness

Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (Ages 16+)  AQ821

• 45-50 minutes long and consists of stretching, movement, flexibility and cool down
• Variety of exercises developed by Arthritis Foundation and YMCA of the USA that increases movement of each joint
• Not necessary to know how to swim
• A signed physician consent form is required!
• Forms are available at the Member Service's Counter.

Deep Water Exercise (Ages 16+) AQ801 and AQ802
This is a non-impact body workout which stresses flexibility and endurance in deep water. Since participants need to keep moving to stay afloat, the entire body is emphasized and toned. Flotation devices are used but participants should be comfortable in the deep end of the pool.

Shallow Water Aerobics (Ages 16+) AQ806

• Check out the latest in aquatic fitness!
• Relieve your stress while getting in great shape
• Start or end your day with this energy-packed and stress-reducing class.

Shallow Water Exercise (Ages 16+) AQ804
Need a lower intensity work-out that will still be challenging? Then this may be just the class for you! Exercises are performed in the shallow end of the pool and are designed to help increase endurance and muscle tone. Participants do not need to know how to swim.
 

Pool Schedule

Click here to download the most current pool schedule.

Family Swims

Family Swims
This is a free swim for members and their families, providing quality family time. Enjoy each other as well as the water. Click here (Insert link for .pdf pool schedule) for the most up-to-date pool schedule with Family Swim times!

Friday Family Nights
Bring the entire family to swim every Friday night at the YMCA. FREE FOR MEMBERS!
Time:    Every Friday    7:00 - 10:00pm

Mini Lobster

• FREE FOR MEMBERS!
• 13' Mini-Lobster inflatable recreation
• Great familiy fun in the pool!
• Under age 9 must be accompanied by a parent or adult (21+) IN THE WATER.
• Non-members must purchase a guest pass and be accompanied by a member

Time:
First Friday of each month       7:00 - 9:00pm
Third Sunday of each month   2:00 - 5:00pm

Kayaking and SCUBA

Kayaking (Ages 14+) AQ998
Learn the fundamentals of this great water sport. Participants will learn how to roll, change direction, stop, exit the craft and much more. Great for beginners through advanced kayakers.

Date:    February 21 - April 18, 2010
Time:    Sundays    6:00pm - 7:45pm
Cost:    Members $65      Program Member $130

SCUBA – AQ872
Learn the basics of SCUBA diving at the YMCA. NAUI certified instructors will train you in the techniques, skills and knowledge required to enjoy safe diving. Contact the Aquatic Department for more info at 708-434-0220 or 708-434-0221.

Date: Winter II March 14 - April 25, 2010

Time:    Sundays    4:30pm - 8:30pm

Cost:    Members $300      Program Member $360
Costs include DVD, dive charts and more

Family Swims

Family Swims
This is a free swim for members and their families, providing quality family time. Enjoy each other as well as the water. Click here (Insert link for .pdf pool schedule) for the most up-to-date pool schedule with Family Swim times!

Friday Family Nights
Bring the entire family to swim every Friday night at the YMCA. FREE FOR MEMBERS!
Time:    Every Friday    7:00 - 10:00pm

Mini Lobster

• FREE FOR MEMBERS!
• 13' Mini-Lobster inflatable recreation
• Great familiy fun in the pool!
• Under age 9 must be accompanied by a parent or adult (21+) IN THE WATER.
• Non-members must purchase a guest pass and be accompanied by a member

Time:
First Friday of each month       7:00 - 9:00pm
Third Sunday of each month   2:00 - 5:00pm