Confidence in the Water

Swim year-round in our heated, indoor pools and learn to swim where group swim lessons were created - the YMCA! Swimming is a life skill as well as great exercise and a challenging sport. The YMCA offers swim lessons for all ages, swim leagues, Masters swim, adaptive swim and more. For details as well as information on open swim times, lap swimming and year-round swimming for the whole family, select a branch to check out all the offerings.

Swim Test

All children age 13 and under must take a swim test before entering any swimming pools at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. This video will walk you and your child through each step of the swim test, demonstrating what they'll need to do to pass the swim test.

Aquatics Programs & Swimming

Masters Swim Team

Masters Swim Team

Looking for coached swimming workouts? The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga Masters Swim Club is led by highly experienced aquatics coaches who make each workout new and challenging.

Masters Swim is currently offered at the Downtown Family YMCA.

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Safety Around Water

Safety Around Water

The Y's Safety Around Water program consists of five days of lessons that teach kids water safety skills that help reduce the risk of drowning & build their skills & confidence in and around water.

FREE Sessions - April 28-May 2, 2025 - Open to Ages 3-12 (members and non-members)

A typical session includes:

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Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons

With a 150-year history of helping people learn to swim, the Y’s swimming classes are designed to teach this lifelong skill to kids and adults of all skill levels in a safe environment. Swimming is one of the most effective tools in developing the spirit, mind and body.

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Pool Parties & Birthdays

Pool Parties & Birthdays

There's nothing more fun than pool parties or lock-ins at the Y! Come celebrate your next birthday with us! We can accommodate up to 25 kids per party (additional kids welcome for an additional fee). We offer birthday parties at our Hamilton, North River and Cleveland branches!

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lifeguard

Become Certified!

The YMCA offers a full YMCA of the USA lifeguard training course that includes CPR and First Aid. Participants must be 16 years old by the end of the class. Attendance, full participation and successful completion or written tests and performance of all water skills are required. Check out our upcoming certifications! 

Certifications

Join the Y

Increase energy, decrease stress, prevent illness, maintain a healthy weight, find personal balance, and enjoy quality time with family and friends... at the Y! We combine spirit, mind, and body in an integrated approach to well-being that goes beyond just fitness.

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Join the Y

Our Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. 

Our Mission to Inclusion: At the YMCA, we strongly believe we should all work together toward achieving a member environment that is welcoming for individuals, regardless of age, religion, abilities, gender or socioeconomic status. To achieve our mission of empowering all people to reach their full potential, the Y is committed to providing an environment that embodies our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.