The Y is often referred to as the nation’s swim instructor. The Y made its initial impact on aquatics with the first reported YMCA “swimming bath” built at the Brooklyn Central YMCA in 1885 and has served tens of millions of children and adults since.

This tradition of excellence is continued at the Westfield Area Y.  Not only are participants taught in a caring way how to swim, but also learn water safety skills with the goal of developing a love for the water that lasts a lifetime. 

Group and individual instruction are available various times, weekdays and weekends.  Class size is determined by participant's ages and instructor/participant ratios to maximize learning and safety.  Classes typically run in 8-week program sessions and most classes fill up quickly at registration.  If a class is full, please contact the Welcome Center at 908-233-2700 to ask to be added to the wait list.  Limited spots may become available as we do try to add classes to accommodate members.  Please note you cannot simultaneously be on a wait list and registered for the same class at another day/time.

For detailed class descriptions, please go to the aquatics section of our online brochure.

Instructional Swim Programs

Parent/Child (6 months - 3 years)
The primary objective of these 30-minute classes is to get both parent and child comfortable in the water.  The child will learn to move through the water while the parent/guardian will become aware of how to teach the child to be safe and enjoy the water.  Classes are designed to allow the child to have fun while the parent guides the swimmer to learn aquatics skill through games and other activities.
Classes: Parent/Child 1 (6 months - 2 years), Parent/Child 2 (2 to 3½ years) and Sunnies (2 -3 years)Preschool (3-5 years)
Children must be 3 before the first class, are taught without parent, and are 30 minutes.  Children are taught the basic skills that are the building blocks of swimming including pool and boating safety and the use of personal flotation devices.  Swimmers may have no experience with the water in this program or be ready to swim the length of the pool with a front and back crawl.
Classes: Pike, Pike 1, Pike 2, Eels, Electric Eels, Rays, Stingrays (4 & 5 only)Youth (6-12 years)
Each skill level in this program builds on the previous to cover all strokes, diving fundamentals, and safety skills. 
30 minute classes: Polliwog 1, Polliwog 2, Guppy, Starfish (6-8 years)
45 minute classes (flippers are recommended): Minnow, Fish, Flying Fish, Shark, (6-12 years)Pre-Teen/Teen (11-17 years)
Each skill level in this program builds on the previous to cover all strokes, diving fundamentals, and safety skills in 45 minute classes.
Classes:  Beginner/Advanced Beginner (11-17 years), Intermediate/Advanced (11-17 years), Teen Water Workout (10-15 years)Adult (18+ years)
45 minutes.  Beginner class is avaiable for non-swimmers, adults with fear of the water or those with limited swimming skills.  More experienced swimmers can focus on stroke development and/or endurance.
Classes: Beginner, Intermediate/Advanced Individual Lessons
30 minutes.  Individual swim lessons are available for every age and swim level.  Contact Rob Faggiano at rfaggiano@westfieldynj.org. Individuals with Disabilities
Rainbow Fish is a 30-minute group lesson designed for children of any age with non-physical disabilities.  Individual lessons are avaialable for every age and ability. Contact Rob Faggiano at rfaggiano@westfieldynj.org.For detailed class descriptions, please go to the aquatics section of our online brochure.