Summer ’23 – Swimming Programs

Policy & Procedures for Aquatics Registered Programs

ALL pool rules* apply during registered aquatics programs (*with the exception of admission standards)

In Person
To register: Visit our YMCA at 570 York Street and speak with a Welcome Desk Specialist.

Online
To register: Click “Register Online” and choose aquatics from the activities menu . Log in with your existing YMCA membership account or create a new account. Please note: If you have had a YMCA membership or have had a child registered in a program since January 1, 2018, you will have an existing account. Use the “Forgot your password?” link and enter your email address. If you are unsure what email address we have on file for you, please contact us at info@ymcafredericton.org.

Please note: Email registrations are not accepted.

Learn more about the benefits of a YMCA Membership. 

  • YMCA Preschool and Youth Lessons & Clubs are only offered to YMCA members (included in active YMCA Membership).
    Swimming lessons may be in the leisure or lap pool.
  • Swimming lessons & leadership clubs are limited to one per child; child must have pre-requisites by the first lesson/session; child must be of age within 2 weeks of programming.
  • Child(ren) are required to attend and participate in a minimum of 8 swim lessons/sessions to be eligible to complete their level.
  • The YMCA of Fredericton allows for up to two lesson/session cancellations per session due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
    There are no make up lessons/sessions for absences.
  • Refer to the Swim Lesson Conversion Chart if your child has taken swimming lessons elsewhere.
    Please remember the conversion chart should be used merely as a general guide since individual differences and situations will occur.
  • If you’re child has taken swimming lessons at the YMCA of Fredericton, please view your child’s SWIMGEN report and register your child in the recommended level.
  • Swim assessments are available during certain Family Swims and/or Swimming Lessons. Please contact the Welcome Desk at 462-3000 for more information and to book an appointment for a swim assessment.
    Swimming lesson assessments are required in order to select the proper level. If a swimmer is signed up for the wrong level, they may need to be removed from the session if the capacity does not allow for proper level placement. Swimmers must be evaluated before registration (SWIMGEN, conversion chart or in person).

General membership information: 

  • Subject to availability, children can register for 2 programs, per term. This can include ONE swimming lesson program per term.  Add additional programs for $50 each per term. In some circumstances, applicable program fees may apply!
  •  For more information on how to become a member of the YMCA, and information on the benefits and prices, please visit us here.
  • Please scan your YMCA membership card or sign in with the welcome desk for every swim class.
  • Please use designated seating in viewing gallery or seating area approved by supervisor/lifeguard.
  • Children are not permitted to enter the water before their lesson.
  • Please do not change your child on the pool deck – use appropriate change room instead.
  • Any child who is not yet potty-trained must wear a swim diaper under their swimming suit.
  • Keep strollers as far back from the pool as possible.
  • Hair ties are required for children with long hair.
  • If your baby has a tendency to spit up frequently, bring a burp cloth with you into the pool to avoid getting any of it in the pool.
  • I understand and agree that only swimmers who are enrolled in swim lessons are allowed in the water.
  • I agree to assume all liability for my child(ren) and myself while at YMCA of Fredericton.
  • Children 9 years and younger must be signed in and out of Aquatics registered programs (i.e . swimming lessons). A parent/guardian (16+) MUST stay on deck/viewing gallery for the entire program.
  • Children 10 – 11 years MUST have a parent/guardian (16+) escort them to and from pool deck for Aquatics registered programs (i.e. swimming lessons).
  • Children 12+ years can attend Aquatics registered programs (i.e. swimming lessons, clubs, advances aquatics courses) without a parent/guardian.
  • Safety is the first concern of all swim instructors and staff. Participants must remain safe to themselves, others, and the environment.
  • We rely on parents to manage their child if difficult and/or unsafe physical and/or verbal behaviours occur. Parents are expected to remain with their child until the swim instructor feels that the child has demonstrated an ability to participate in the class safely.
  • Swim instructors will reinforce behavioural expectations at the beginning of class.
  • In cases of a consistent behaviour or safety concern, the Aquatics Manager and supervisor, and parent will create an individualized action plan that defines the problem, the small and large goals, and the compliance expectations, including the point at which the child may be recommended to another class or removed from the program.
  • If a child is unsafe three times within a lesson, the child will be removed from the lesson and asked to return the following week.

In order to protect the well-being of your child and other children, sick children are not permitted to participate in lessons. YMCA of Fredericton staff/volunteers hold the right to refuse a participant who appears ill. You will be asked to take your child out of the facility, not to put your child in the pool, or to remove them from the pool if they exhibit any of the following symptoms or have any of the following conditions/diseases*:

  • Any symptom which inhibits their participation in the lesson
  • Open oozing skin conditions
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Mouth sores caused by drooling
  • Rash with fever, unless a physician has determined, and stated in writing, that it is not a communicable disease
  • Pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge, until on antibiotics for 24 hours
  • Impetigo, until 24 hours of treatment
  • Strep throat, until 24 hours after treatment
  • Head lice, until 24 hours after completion of treatment
  • Scabies, until 24 hours after treatment
  • Chickenpox, until all lesions have dried and crusted
  • Whooping cough, until after 5 days of antibiotics
  • Hepatitis A virus, until 1 week after immune globulin has been administered

*Unless the child’s physician signs a note stating that the child’s condition is not contagious and they are permitted to swim

Activity Withdrawals: For withdrawals before the new season begins, refunds of any pre-paid activity fees are subject to a 20% administration fee upon withdrawal. Once a new season begins, activity fees are non-refundable as they have been dispersed to pay instructors and various provincial sports organizations.

Facility Closures: In the event of a facility closure due to circumstances beyond the control of the YMCA, program fees will not be refunded.

I understand that I must disclose any of my child’s medical conditions that might impact his/her swimming, safety, and the safety of others (e.g. autism spectrum disorder (ASD), seizures, ADHD, asthma). This information can be provided in writing to the Aquatics Manager (Kathleen.Kowalchuk@ymcafredericton.org).

For additional information or questions about our Aquatics Program, please contact Kathleen Kowalchuk at 462 – 3000 ext. 108 or email: Kathleen.Kowalchuk@ymcafredericton.org

For general information, please call our Welcome Desk at 462 – 3000 ext. 0

Gym & Swim (2 – 5 years old) (Parent – Child)

With an early years membership, children can sign up for TWO registered programs*. This can include Gym & Swim and a pre-school swimming lesson!

In Gym & Swim, children run, climb, roll, hop, balance and crawl! The fun continues in the warm pool with water skills development through songs and games with their caregiver. This activity is for children and caregivers to do TOGETHER!

*Subject to availability

Program Day Time Location
Gym & Swim (2 – 5 yrs.)
Parent – Child
Saturday* 12:30 – 1:30 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
1:45 – 2:45 PM
2:15 – 3:15 PM
YMCA Gymnasium &
Pool

* First Saturday will be on July 8. No registered programs run on the Canada Day Long Weekend (July 1)

YMCA Preschool Lessons (6 months – 5 yrs.)

In Splashers, Children 6 months – 18 months start in the water with their parents learning basic swimming skills. Children between the ages of 19 months – 2 years old will participate with their parents in Bubblers.  Children 3 – 5 years old participate in levels Bobbers through Jumpers where they progress from being comfortable in the water to working on front and back swim endurance and deep water skills. For more information about our swimming programs, visit our website here.

Level Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
Splashers (6 – 18 mo.) 4:30 – 5:00 PM 4:30 – 5:00 PM 4:30 – 5:00 PM
Bubblers (19 mo. – 2 yrs.) 4:30 – 5:00 PM 4:30 – 5:00 PM 4:30 – 5:00 PM  –
Bobbers (3 – 5 yrs.) 4:30 – 5:00 PM
5:05 – 5:35 PM
4:30 – 5:00 PM
5:05 – 5:35 PM
5:40 – 6:10 PM
4:30 – 5:00 PM
5:05 – 5:35 PM
5:40 – 6:10 PM

Floaters (3 – 5 yrs.) 5:05 – 5:35 PM 5:05 – 5:35 PM
5:40 – 6:10 PM

5:05 – 5:35 PM
5:40 – 6:10 PM



Gliders (3 – 5 yrs.) 5:40 – 6:10 PM
6:15 – 6:45 PM

6:15 – 6:45 PM
Divers (3 – 5 yrs.) 5:40 – 6:10 PM 6:15 – 6:45 PM
Surfers (3 – 5 yrs.) 6:15 – 6:45 PM 6:15 – 6:45 PM
Jumpers (3 – 5 yrs.) 6:15 – 6:45 PM 6:15 – 6:45 PM

YMCA Learn To Swim Lessons (Ages 6 – 12 yrs.)

The YMCA Learn To Swim program is specifically designed for youth between the ages of 6 – 12 years old. There are 4 levels in this program (Otter, Seal, Dolphin, Swimmer)  before swimmers can advance to the Star Program. 

Level Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
Otter (6 – 12 yrs.)

5:40 – 6:10 PM

5:40 – 6:10 PM 5:40 – 6:10 PM
Seal (6 – 12 yrs.) 6:15 – 6:45 PM 6:50 – 7:20 PM
6:50 – 7:20 PM
Dolphin (6 – 12 yrs.)
6:50 – 7:20 PM

7:25 – 7:55 PM
7:25 – 7:55 PM
Swimmer (6 – 12 yrs.) 7:25 – 7:55 PM 8:00 – 8:30 PM 8:00 – 8:30 PM

YMCA Star Lessons (Ages 6 – 12 yrs.)

The YMCA Star program is specially designed for swimmers aged 6+ years who have advanced through our Learn to Swim program. The Star program contains 7 levels, beginning with Star 1.

Level Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
Star 1 (6 – 12 yrs.)

6:50 – 7:35 PM

6:50 – 7:35 PM 6:50 – 7:35 PM
Star 2 (6 – 12 yrs.) 6:50 – 7:35 PM
6:50 – 7:35 PM
Star 3 (6 – 12 yrs.) 7:40 – 8:25 PM
Star 4 (6 – 12 yrs.) 7:40 – 8:25 PM

YMCA Star Leadership Club (10 – 12 yrs.)

Pre-Teen Star Leadership Club is designed for pre-teens (10 – 12 years old) that have completed Star 4 or an equivalent skill level. Please visit us here to learn more about the Star Program.

Level Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
Star 5 (10 – 12 yrs.)  7:40 – 8:40 PM
Star 6 (10 – 12 yrs.)  7:40 – 8:40 PM

Additional Lessons & Clubs

Tailored and individualized coaching to help teens, adults & seniors improve their skills in the water. Private lessons are also available to anyone. For more information, please contact kathleen.kowalchuk@ymcafredericton.org

Program Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
(Semi) Private ($)
Teen – Beginner ($)  – 7:40 – 8:25 PM
Teen – Interm/Adv. ($) 8:30 – 9:15 PM
Adult Beginner ($) 8:45 – 9:30 PM 8:30 – 9:15 PM
Adult Interm/Adv. ($) 8:45 – 9:30 PM  –  –
Jr. Lifeguard ($) 7:40 – 8:25 PM
Synchronized Swimmer
Beginner
6:50 – 7:35 PM

$ – indicates there is an additional fee for members.

Leadership Courses

Please visit our website under Certification Courses to see all of the upcoming courses!