Here at Riverdale Y, our group swim program follows the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim curriculum, ensuring a structured and effective approach to developing water safety and swimming skills. Our professional and enthusiastic instructors are dedicated to working with swimmers of all ages and abilities. Our goal is to create a positive and safe environment for everyone and for students to build a lifelong love of water.
We offer a 10-session program in the Fall, Winter, and Spring season. In the Summer, we offer a shorter, 4-session program as well as a Swim Intensive Camp. Those who are a part of our ECC program have access to a special 9-session per season program that closely follows the ECC schedule.
4 Session Summer Program | July 5–July 26
Member $140 | General: $180
30 Minute Lessons
The Sprytes are for swimmers just beginning their journey in the water. In this group the
instructors will focus on creating a fun environment where swimmers can overcome fears and
learn the basic water safety skills to soon be able to swim on their own.
While in this group, The Sprytes will gain the following skills:
- Submerging mouth and Blowing Bubbles (3 seconds).
- Push off into glides, arms out, with assistance.
- Assisted Back Float (w/ Instructor or equipment).
- Full gentle submersion assisted.
- Assisted Kicking (Instructor/Barbell/Kick Board).
- Rolling from front to back and back to front w/ assistance.
- Entering and exiting the water safely.
The ratio of student to teacher is 4:1.
Sundays 9:00-9:30 AM, 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM & 11:00-11:30 AM
Member $350 | General: $450
30 Minute Lessons
In the Guppys group, swimmers will begin to build more independence while working on using
simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions. Swimmers will work on both their front and back. Still focusing on water safety, the Guppys will be working on developing the following
skills:
- Blowing Bubbles with full face in water.
- Push offs into glides unassisted to instructor.
- Assisted Back Float with some time hands off (15 seconds).
- Unassisted submersions (Bobs).
- Swimming using combined arm and leg actions.
- Rolling from front to back with limited assistance.
- Begin swimming elementary backstroke unassisted.
- Jumping from boat or wall and rolling to back w/ assistance.
* No life jackets used in this group.
The ratio of student to teacher is 4:1.
Sundays 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM & 11:00-11:30 AM
Member $140 | General: $180
30 Minute Lessons
Once swimmers start to swim with limited assistance, they are ready for the Mynnows group.
Here, they will build upon their growing confidence in the water while starting to learn the basic
foundations of the Freestyle, Elementary Backstroke, and Backstroke. By the end of the Mynnows, group swimmers will be fully independent after working on the following skills:
- Face in push off (A. Glides) (B. Kicking).
- Independent back Float (15 seconds).
- Unassisted Submersions (A. Bobs) (B. Retrieve submerged objects).
- Start using over water freestyle arms with/without equipment.
- Moving from elementary backstroke to backstroke swim unassisted.
- Swim-Roll-Swim (10 yards).
- Jumping from wall and coming up to surface on back (A. Assisted) (B. Unassisted).
The ratio of student to teacher is 4:1.
Sundays 9:00-9:30 AM, 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM & 11:00-11:30 AM
Member $140 | General: $180
45 Minute Lessons
The Starfysh group is for our entry level swimmers who are 6 and older. Here, swimmers will still
be working on the basics of water safety and overcoming any fears to become more comfortable swimming on their own. As the swimmers are a bit older than the Mynnows, the group will work
a bit faster through the following skills to become more independent swimmers:
- Face in push off (A. Glides) (B. Kicking) – 5-10 yards.
- Independent back Float (15 seconds).
- Unassisted Submersions (A. Bobs) (B. Retrieve submerged objects).
- Start using over water freestyle arms with/without equipment.
- Moving from elementary backstroke to backstroke swim unassisted.
- Swim-Roll-Swim (10 yards).
- Jumping from wall and coming up to surface on back (A. Assisted) (B. Unassisted)
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1
Sundays 12:00–12:45PM
Member $140 | General: $180
45 Minute Lessons
As swimmers move into the Sailfysh level, they start to truly begin the progression into learning
the four swimming strokes and some of the basic elements of competitive swimming. As we
have noticed many of our younger swimmers are progressing at higher levels, the Sailfysh and
further levels will now be open to 5–12-year-olds.
- Start learning streamline push-offs.
- Pushing off from wall on back into elementary backstroke.
- Jump in from wall and surface floating on back.
- Start working on overhand freestyle and backstroke.
- Building the foundations for side breathing in freestyle.
- Putting together the motions for dolphin/butterfly kicking.
- Gaining the basics of froggy/breaststroke kick.
- Begin working on headfirst entries (A. Sitting) (B. Kneeling).
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:00–11:45AM, 12:00-12:45PM
Member $140 | General: $180
45 Minute Lessons
Once swimmers can swim longer distances, we begin to focus on stroke and basic skills
refinement. This means that in the Swordfysh group the focus then turns to teaching the proper
breathing, arm angles both under and over the water, consistent kicking in free and back, the
timing of the arms and legs in breast and fly, etc.
- Streamline Push offs with underwater butterfly kicking.
- Swim Freestyle, with side breathing for 25 yards.
- Swim Backstroke for 25 yards.
- Swim Breaststroke, with idea of stroke mechanics, for 15 yards.
- Swim Butterfly, with idea of stroke mechanics, for 15 yards.
- Perform a headfirst entry from stride position or standing.
- Starting to work on Freestyle and Backstroke flip turns.
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:45AM–12:30PM
10-Session Fall Group Swim Lessons
Parent & Child Classes
Member: $250 / General: $325
30 Minute Lessons
Parent and Child Age 6-18 months introduces you and your child to basic skills. As parents, you
learn how to safely work with your child in the water, including how to appropriately support and hold your child in the water and how to prepare and encourage your child to participate fully and
try the skills. In addition, you are introduced to several water safety topics. Your child receives
an introduction to basic skills that lay a foundation for learning to swim.
Great experiences and fun activities are provided to teach infants to:
- Feel comfortable in the water
- Enter and exit the water safely
- Explore breath control and submerging
- Explore floating on the front and back
- Play safely in the water
The ratio of student to teacher is 8:1.
Sundays 9:40–10:10 AM & 11:00–11:30AM
Member: $250 / General: $325
30 Minute Lessons
Parent and Child Aquatics introduces you and
your child to basic skills. As parents, you learn how to
safely work with your child in the water, including how to
appropriately support and hold your child in the water and
how to prepare and encourage your child to participate
fully and try the skills. In addition, you are introduced to several water safety topics. Your child receives an introduction
to basic skills that lay a foundation for learning to swim.
Great experiences and fun activities will be provided to allow your child to:
- Learn more ways to enter and exit the water safely.
- Retrieve objects below the surface and submerged
objects with eyes opened. - Glide on the front and back with assistance.
- Perform combined arm and leg actions on front and back
with assistance. - Change body position in the water.
The ratio of student to teacher is 8:1.
Sundays 9:00–9:30 AM & 10:20–10:50AM
SprYtes (Age 3-5)
Member $350 | General: $450
30 Minute Lessons
Children are introduced to basic skills. These skills lay the foundation for developing water competency and the future skill development of swimming strokes. In addition, children start to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around the water.
Milestones include:
* Entering the water independently using ramp, steps or side and travel at least 5 yards.
* Submerging mouth and blowing bubbles for at least 3 seconds.
* Exiting the water safely.
* Gliding on front for at least 2 body lengths with support.
* Rolling to back and floating for 3 seconds with support.
* Recovering to a vertical position with support.
The ratio of student-to-instructor is 4:1.
Sundays 9:00-9:30 AM, 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM
Thursdays 4:00-4:30 PM
Member $350 | General: $450
30 Minute Lessons
Children are introduced to basic skills. These skills lay the foundation for developing water competency and the future skill development of swimming strokes. In addition, children start to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around the water.
Milestones include:
* Entering the water independently using ramp, steps or side and travel at least 5 yards.
* Submerging mouth and blowing bubbles for at least 3 seconds.
* Exiting the water safely.
* Gliding on front for at least 2 body lengths with support.
* Rolling to back and floating for 3 seconds with support.
* Recovering to a vertical position with support.
The ratio of student-to-instructor is 4:1.
Sundays 9:00-9:30 AM, 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM
Thursdays 4:00-4:30 PM
Member $350 | General: $450
30 Minute Lessons
This level children are performing aquatic locomotion skills independently. Children start learning rudimentary front crawl and elementary backstroke.
Milestones include:
* Stepping from the side into chest-deep water.
* Pushing off the bottom and moving into a treading or floating position for 15 seconds, swimming on front and/or back for 5 body lengths and then exiting the water.
* Moving into a back float for 15 seconds, rolling to front then recovering to a vertical position.
* Pushing off and swimming using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths.
* Rolling to back, floating for 15 seconds, rolling to front then continuing to swim for 5 body lengths.
The ratio of student-to-instructor is 4:1.
Sundays 9:40-10:10 AM, 10:20-10:50 AM
SwordfYsh (Age 6-12)
Member $325 | General: $425
45 Minute Lessons
Participants are introduced to basic skills as the foundation for future skills and the development of water competency (the basic minimum skills needed for water safety).
Milestones for successful completion of Level 1 include:
* Entering the water independently using the ramp, steps or side.
* Traveling at least 5 yards, bobbing 5 times and then safely exiting the water.
* Opening eyes underwater and retrieving submerged object.
* Gliding on front with assistance at least 2 body lengths.
* Rolling to a back float for 5 seconds with assistance.
* Recovering to a vertical position with assistance.
* Combined arm and leg actions on front and back with assistance.
* Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front and back with assistance
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:00-11:45 AM, 1:15-2:00 PM
Member $325 | General: $425
45 Minute Lessons
Participants begin to perform skills at a slightly more advanced level and begin gaining rudimentary propulsive skills on both the front and the back. This level marks the beginning of independent aquatic locomotion skills.
Milestones for successful completion of Level 2 include:
* Stepping from the side into chest-deep water.
* Fully submerging and holding breath.
* Pushing off the bottom, moving into a treading or floating position for at least 15 seconds, swimming on front and/or back for 5 body lengths and then exiting the water.
* Moving into a back float for 15 seconds, rolling to front and then recovering to a vertical position.
* Pushing off and swimming using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, rolling to back, floating for 15 seconds, rolling to the front and then continue swimming for 5 body lengths.
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:00-11:45 AM, 11:45-12:30 PM
Tuesdays 4:30-5:15 PM
Thursdays 4:30-5:15 PM
Member $325 | General: $425
45 Minute Lessons
Participants learn to swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary levels, are introduced to the scissors and dolphin kicks, learn the survival float and increase the time duration for treading water. Participants also learn the rules for headfirst entries and begin to learn to enter the water headfirst from a seated position at poolside.
Milestones for successful completion of Level 3 include:
* Flutter, scissors, breaststroke and dolphin kicks.
* Jumping into deep water from the side, recovering to the surface, maintaining position by treading or floating for 1 minute, rotating a full turn and then turning as necessary to orient to the exit point.
* Swimming the front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yards and then exiting the water.
* Pushing off in a streamlined position, swimming the front crawl for 15 yards, changing position and direction, swimming the elementary backstroke for 15 yards and then exiting the water.
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:00-11:45 AM, 11:45 AM-12:30 PM, 1:45-2:30 PM
Member $325 | General: $425
45 Minute Lessons
Participants are introduced to new swimming strokes and water safety skills and build on previously learned skills, improving the swimming stroke proficiency and swimming for longer distances.
Milestones for successful completion of Level 4 include:
* Swimming the front crawl for 25 yards.
* Swimming the elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
* Swimming the breaststroke for 15 yards.
* Swimming the butterfly for 15 yards.
* Swimming the back crawl for 15 yards.
* Swimming the sidestroke for 15 yards.
* Headfirst entry from a stride position
* Open turns on the front and back.
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:00-11:45 AM, 11:45 AM-12:30 PM, 12:45-1:30 PM
Thursdays 4:30-5:15 PM
Member $325 | General: $425
45 Minute Lessons
Participants refine all six swimming strokes including swimming for longer distances. Participants are introduced to new water safety skills while building on ones previously learned and perform flip turns on the front and back. The expectations are higher now in regards to distance and quality.
Milestones for successful completion of Level 5 include:
* Performing a shallow-angle dive
* Performing a tuck and pike surface dive
* Swimming the front crawl for 50 yards
* Swimming the elementary backstroke for 50 yards
* Swimming the sidestroke for 25 yards
* Swimming the breaststroke for 25 yards
* Swimming the back crawl for 25 yards
* Swimming the butterfly for 25 yards
* Front and back flip turns
The ratio of student to teacher is 6:1.
Sundays 11:00-11:45 AM, 12:45-1:30 PM
Thursdays 4:30-5:15 PM
Adult Lessons (Age 18+)
This course is intended for adult beginner swimmers and adults who want to overcome their fear of being in the water. You’ll learn basic skills such as floating, breath control, and short-distance travel in the water. Deep water survival skills are taught.
Swimmer-instructor ratio is 6:1.
Mondays 7:30–8:15 PM
Tuesdays 7:30–8:15 PM
Class Policies
- If a group class is cancelled by Riverdale Y before the first session, a full refund will be issued.
- In the event Riverdale Y needs to cancel a session of a class, Riverdale Y has the discretion to schedule a make-up class at an alternate day and time.
- Riverdale Y will offer prorated credit for sessions cancelled after the first class begins, up to the first two sessions of the class held.
- There will be no refunds or credits after two sessions of a class.
- A $10 administration fee will be charged for any changes or transfers to a class after the first session of the class held.
- Riverdale Y is not responsible for providing makeup classes or issuing refunds for programs missed due to client illness, scheduling conflicts, emergencies, or other events beyond our control.
- Riverdale Y will offer limited paid make-up sessions each season. Dates and times will be determined by the Riverdale Y.
About the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Approach
The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program focuses on building skills one step at a time. By giving them the opportunity to master one element before moving on to the next, kids’ swim classes make it easy to build confidence in the water.
During their swim lessons, children will spend time on the following levels:
- Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills: Students will learn how to feel comfortable in the water and safely enjoy it.
- Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatic Skills: Children will learn basic swimming skills.
- Level 3: Stroke Development: Additional guided practice will help students improve their skills.
- Level 4: Stroke Improvement: Kids will gain confidence during swim lessons, improve their stroke and gain additional aquatic skills.
- Level 5: Stroke Refinement: Guidance allows kids to refine their strokes and become more efficient swimmers.
Did you know Riverdale Y members get a discount on swim lessons?
Questions? Contact swim@riverdaley.org
