Find Your Love of Water
Swimming is one of life’s most essential skills: the ability to swim can help save your life or someone else’s life, while introducing you to a lifetime of healthy, enjoyable activity in the water. At the Y, our swim lessons and programs help kids and adults of all ages and abilities develop the skills they need to become strong, confident swimmers.
Group Swim Lessons
The YMCA of Sumter offers an extensive learn-to-swim program for all ages. Give your child the chance to discover their love of water with swim lessons at the Y. Guided by our friendly, caring aquatics staff, your little one will explore the water while having splashy fun! Learn about all of your swim lesson options with our Aquatics Program Brochure or the registrations below. Whether you are looking for a group lesson, private lesson or semi-private lesson, we have a class to suit your needs.
Flying Fish Swim Team
The Sumter YMCA Flying Fish gives everyone a great opportunity to achieve his or her potential! Our mission is to provide a safe environment where children can learn, improve, and enjoy the sport of swimming. On our year-round swim team, every member has a place and every swimmer is important to our success! We offer multiple competitive and developmental groups for swimmers ages 5-21. Swimmers gain experience through YMCA and USA Swimming competitions. Many members enjoy our family and team-first atmosphere, which is easy to see at meets, social events and team practices.
Private and Semi-private Lessons
Private swim lessons offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance a swimmer’s experience and skills. One of the primary advantages is tailored coaching, allowing instructors to focus on individual strengths and weaknesses, ensuring a customized approach to learning. This personalized attention helps swimmers build confidence and improve technique more rapidly than in group settings. Additionally, instruction can be adapted to suit various goals, whether it’s mastering specific strokes, increasing endurance, or preparing for competitive events. With flexible scheduling, private lessons also accommodate busy lifestyles, making it easier for swimmers to fit practice into their routines. Ultimately, personalized instruction fosters a supportive environment where individuals can progress at their own pace, leading to greater enjoyment and success in the water.
Lifeguard Certification
Lifeguard certification is an essential qualification for those looking to ensure safety at pools, beaches, and other aquatic environments. The certification process includes comprehensive training in water rescue techniques, first aid, CPR, and emergency response procedures. Participants learn how to assess potential hazards, monitor swimmer behavior, and react swiftly to emergencies. Upon successful completion of both written and practical exams, participants receive certification, which needs to be renewed every two years to stay current with safety practices and techniques. This certification not only equips lifeguards with critical life-saving skills but also instills confidence and preparedness in managing aquatic environments safely.
Family swim
During this unstructured swim time, families can enjoy our facility. Flotation aids other than U. S. Coast Guard approved life vests are not permitted at any time. Swimmers ages 11 and under must have a guardian (16+) in the pool area at all times. Non-swimmers, 52″ and less, must have a guardian (16+) in the water within arms-reach at all times. Additional safe pool rules are posted on the pool deck.
Splash Pad
With interactive features like water arches, fountains, and splash zones, children can run, jump, and play while cooling off on hot days. Pap’s Pad is open for YMCA members to access from our pool deck. The splash pad is available seasonally from sunrise to 6:00 pm, or 30 minutes before closing on the weekends.
Lap and Fitness Swim
Whether you want to swim laps on your own or do your own fitness workout in the pool, we have special times set aside for these activities. Please enter the pool from the shallow end. To avoid accidents, when entering an occupied lane, please get the first swimmer’s acknowledgment that you are there. If there are 1 or 2 swimmers in a lane, they may elect to split the lane in half. The entrance of a third person immediately changes the lane to “circle” swimming format. Please choose a lane with swimmers that most nearly match your speed.
View availability on the Schedules Page
