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Swim Lessons at the YMCA
With a 150-year history of helping people learn to swim, YMCA swimming lessons teach life-saving water safety skills to kids and adults of all ages.
Through Y-USA standardized programming, our Y offers age-specific swim lessons designed to help participants build confidence and develop skills at every stage. Year-round private and group swimming lessons are available, with new offerings added each month to help you find a class that fits your needs and schedule.
The YMCA believes everyone should have access to swimming and water safety education. We’re working toward a future where accidental drownings are eliminated in our region.
So far in 2026, we have provided free swim lessons to 69 children through scholarships and programs like Step into Swim.
Safety Around Water Sessions
Learn more about our Safety Around Water program, and the FREE water safety sessions our YMCA offers to kids in our community during this time each year.
Swim Level Assessments
Assessments are offered at each location to determine placement into swim lessons.
Inclement weather: Lightning within 10 miles or thunder will constitute immediate closure of our swimming pools for no less than 30 minutes from the last lightning strike or sound of thunder.
The Swim Test
All children age 13 and under must take a swim test before entering any swimming pools at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga.
Swim Lesson Stages
Learn your child's swim stage: Swim Lesson Flow Chart
WAVE FACILITY
WAVE FACILITY
Our facility has dedicated and vigilant staff watching over families and children. As an added layer of safety, we use the Wave System.
Our facility has deployed WAVE as an extra precaution to supervised swimming because your child's safety is our highest priority.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Lifeguard Entry Alerts (LEA) immediately make our facility aware that a lifeguard has entered the water and may need assistance.
Small Lifeguard Tags used by our guards enable WAVE to detect when a guard has entered the water.
Remote Alert Units placed away from the swim area provide spoken notifications of LEA events.
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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