About Y Swim

If you love swimming, the Y is the place to be!  Since 1885, when the first pool was built at a Y, to today, with our world-class pools, you and your family can enjoy swimming year-round.  From swim lessons to water safety to group fitness in the water, the Y has hundreds of ways for you to get fit and enjoy this low-impact exercise!
 

Swim Lessons

At the Y, we believe everyone should learn to swim, for both recreation & safety!  The Y introduced the country to the concept of group swim lessons more than 100 years ago.

Swimming skills are progressive, so it’s important to pick the right level for you. Our YMCA trained and certified instructors cover swimming skills, stroke technique, and water safety in a friendly and encouraging environment. Whether in a private or group lesson, all ages can learn with our six (6) stage program.

Browse Lessons

Recreational Swim

Come enjoy our beautiful indoor pools.  We welcome you to come swim, splash around with family and friends, and just have fun!

Many Y locations have open swim designated hours and social distancing & safety guides are in place. We offer three options for recreational swim. Enjoy our world-class pools for lap swimming, water walking (a great form of low-impact exercise), or family swim. 

Learn more about swimming at the Y and how to find time at your location!

Open Swim Times

Swim Team

Our swim teams are dedicated to developing good swimmers and great team members. Through competitive swimming, the YMCA teaches the character virtues of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Find swim teams at the following branch locations:

Competitive swimming teaches skills for a lifetime. Our swimmers achieve success at all levels of competition. We host a wide variety of teams with immense pride!

Summer Swim

Splash, swim, dunk, dive, and catch some rays during the summer at the Y!

We offer 4 amazing outdoor pools around the Philadelphia Region:

Complete with water slides, diving, family pools, and more. All ages can enjoy the summer months and beat the heat at our safe, clean, and fun facilities. Check the location nearest to you for more information on how to make a splash in summer!

Safety Around Water

Although the statistics are bleak, drowning is preventable, and the Y - as America’s leading swim instructor for more than 100 years - is uniquely positioned to offer this life-saving program.

Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program is a yearly free event that can help you make sure they learn essential water safety skills, which can open up a world of possibilities for them to satisfy their curiosity safely.

What do parents think?

We know swim lessons at the Y are fun and help kids build confidence in and around water, but don't just take our word for it. Check out some feedback parents shared about their experiences swimming at the Y.

Child swimming with instructor

The expertise of his instructor, her patience, humor and how well she worked with my son and all of the other children. You can tell she really loves what she does and I hope my son has her again as an instructor.

- Parent, Willow Grove

child learning to swim

I was able to see measurable and clear improvement in my 2 year old's swimming ability and confidence in the water. I am very impressed with the skills she developed at such a young age. We'll be back for more!

- Parent, Boyertown

children learning to swim

My son started lessons at the Y in May not knowing how to swim at all. After his last lesson this past weekend, he is swimming underwater totally on his own and is SO confident in the water.

- Parent, Upper Perkiomen Valley

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our members is central to the mission of the Y! As such, we require swim tests for all children who visit our pools and have implemented supervision policies to ensure everyone has a great time. Children who pass one of our swim tests will be given wrist bands to allow them to play independently in the pool. Learn more about our swim tests, supervision policies, and health & safety measures by clicking the button below.

View our Swim Policies