Use the interactive form below to find the swim lesson appropriate for your swimmer’s age and skill level.

YMCA Swim Lessons

• Parent and Child
• K3 Basics: K-3 Swim Basics is the first stage of swim lessons and focuses on skills for beginners. In this class, students are introduced to the pool and develop safe water habits in a fun and encouraging environment. Students become comfortable with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit a body of water in the event they fall in. This introductory stage builds the foundation for the child’s future progress in swimming. This class is specifically designed for children ages 3 years old.
• Preschool Aquatics
• Learn to Swim
• Private Lessons

Age Requirements

• Parent and Child: Ages 6 months – 3 years
• K3 Basics: 3 years only
• Preschool Aquatics: Preschool Level 1-3, Ages 4-6
• Learn to Swim: Level 1-6, Ages 7-12
• Teen Swim: Ages 13-17
• Adult: 18+

Parent Observation

Parents must remain on the pool deck during their child’s swim lesson. Unless involved in the parent/child class, parents are not allowed to be near the pool edge. This is to provide your child with the best possible learning experience.  Parents can watch from the benches provided along the Natatorium walls. If an instructor needs your help with a bathroom visit or behavior issue, they will call you over to assist.

Passing Classes

It is not uncommon for a child to stay in a particular level several times before successful completion. It is natural for participants to develop motor skills and become comfortable with water at a different pace. Practicing skills during open and family swim is strongly recommended to improve swim skills.

Weather Policy

In the event there is lightning within 10 miles of the facility, the pool will close for your safety. We will make the call to reschedule lessons due to weather one hour before your lesson begins. Make up lessons will be scheduled with your instructor.

Missed Classes

Sorry, missed classes cannot be made up; nor are they refundable.

3rd Grade Swim Lessons

The YMCA has strategic and aggressive goals that make a difference. Eliminate drownings through water safety education & awareness, by teaching life-saving swimming and self-rescue skills. All kids in Ocean Springs Schools get 1 Free session of swim lesson through their school during their PE time. Each session consists of eight 30-minute lessons, water safety education and a completion certificate upon the last lesson.

Private Swim Lessons

Are you not able to make the scheduled swim lesson times? Have you always wanted to learn to swim but wanted to work at your own pace? Private lessons may be right for you. We offer private lessons for ALL ages to accommodate to your (and the instructors’) schedule.

Prices vary depending on the number of lessons and goals in mind. Please call the YMCA at 228-875-5050.

Recreational Swim Club

• Youth Club: ages 7-17. Available for youth ages 7-16 (age 6 only if skills are proficient). Swimmers will participate with others similar in abilities and goals. Swimmers will learn proper stroke mechanics and race skills for all four strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle), develop water and land-based fitness levels, and participate in team building activities designed to encourage friendship, teamwork and confidence.
• Middle/High School Club: available in the summer only.
• Masters Swim Club: Adults 18-118 will receive stroke refinement, endurance training, and team building with one of our USA Swimming certified coaches. Join a group of like-minded swimmers who are passionate about aquatic fitness. Masters Swim Club is ideal for intermediate-advanced swimmers. This is currently a non-competitive swim club.

Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard

Become a lifeguard! All prospective participants should register for the Ellis & Associates Lifeguard class at the Y. Our International Lifeguard Training Programs (ILTP™) are designed and intended to be delivered as part of an integrated curriculum that includes water rescue techniques, First Aid, Health Care Provider CPR, Emergency Oxygen Support, and Automated External Defibrillation as a first responder. This course requires students to perform each concept taught in the course, through student demonstrations of all skills concepts and skills instructed. Students will participate in lifeguarding roles throughout the class and are expected to perform lifeguard duties as first responders. Students will perform on deck and in water simulations, drills and exercises for rescue techniques as an individual and in team scenarios as part of multiple rescuers drills.

Prerequisites:

• Must be at least 15 years or older
• 200 yard swim without stopping using front crawl (freestyle) and/or breast stroke
• Perform a feet-first surface dive, retrieve 10-lb brick, and bring it to the surface.
• Be able to tread water without using arms for 2 minutes
• Be able to climb out of the pool without a ladder

Cost:

• Non-refundable tryout fee: $25.00
• Lifeguard Class
  • Y-Member: $200.00
  • Non-Member: $250.00

Junior Lifeguard

Junior Lifeguard Camp provides a foundation of aquatic skills, which helps youths (aged 11 – 14) make a smooth transition into the American Red Cross Lifeguard course. Each day will focus on a different skill to include CPR/First Aid, water rescues, patron surveillance, and victim recognition. Upon completion of this course, participants will receive their American Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification. Lifeguard certification can be obtained at age 15.

Fee includes all course materials, official YMCA Junior Lifeguard t-shirt, CPR mask, and whistle.

Swim test: 50 yard continuous swim and 60 second tread

Junior Swim Instructor

The Junior Swim Instructor Program is designed for youth, ages 12-15. This is an internship program.

This program partners youth aids with our one of certified YMCA Swim Instructors to provide a hands-on practical experience learning the basics of working with children ages 3 to 9 years old in an aquatic setting. While this training is specific to swimming lessons, the Jr. S.I. will find aspects of the training that may be applied to any job. Junior Swim Instructors will be placed in a swim level based on their own aquatic comfort level.

Junior Swim Instructors are required to have a basic knowledge of front and back crawl (freestyle and backstroke)

During the program, Jr. S.I’s will receive a free student membership to the YMCA and gain valuable knowledge that will assist them in molding their future career in aquatics.

The fee for this program covers the cost of the participant’s t-shirt, training, and waiver.

Jeff Ellis Swim Instructor Course

Community Aquatics Program

Dive into the refreshing world of community aquatics with the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA! Our programs offer a fun and inclusive environment where everyone can learn to swim, improve their skills, and most importantly, have a blast! Plus, we’re always looking to expand our reach and partner with communities to bring the joy of aquatics to even more people. If you’re interested in making a splash in your area, click the link below and fill out the form. Let’s make a difference together!