If you would like more information on YMCA programs at the pool,
please contact Chad Franks, Aquatics Coordinator at (219) 762-9622
or chad@ymcaofportage.org.

                        FREE FAMILY SWIM every Friday
                                       Membership NOT required, but one adult per family must remain in pool area
                                         (Fridays from 6 - 8:45 p.m.)

 
The Aquatics Department strives to provide every patron with an excellent aquatic experience. Our aquatics program emphasizes the National YMCA's four core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring along with personal safety, growth and development.

In the aquatics programs, safety and fun are the foundation of our success. The aquatics staff extends a welcome to you and is happy to help you in any way possible.
Facility - All aquatic programs take place at the Portage High School West pool. This indoor pool has 6 lanes (45 ft.) and is 25 yards (75 ft.) long. The water temperature is typically kept between 79 F and 84 F while the air temperature is variable. The pool is handicapped friendly with easy access stairs for those in need. Locker rooms and showers are available. Swimmers need to provide their own locks.
Staff - The YMCA aquatics staff are hard-working and caring individuals who strive to ensure each patron has a fun and safe experience at the pool. Each staff member is certified in life guarding, first-aid, CPR, universal precautions and AED. Instructors have had special training in swim lesson techniques which enable children to learn quickly, more efficiently and become strong swimmers.

Open Swim

This is a great way for families and friends to enjoy our pool! This is unstructured swim time for members and guests to play, exercise, or practice swimming skills. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own water toys (no snorkels or rafts) and spend time getting to know and enjoy our safe aquatic environment. Children under the age of ten must have adult supervision on the deck while children age six and under must have direct adult supervision and contact in the water. 
Free to Portage YMCA members, $2 for others or $5 per family.

FREE FAMILY SWIM the 1st Wednesday of every month.

Lap Swim

Join a growing number of swimmers who use lap swimming as a form of non-impact aerobic and endurance building exercise. Lap swim will be available during all hours of YMCA pool operation. Lane availability will be determined by usage. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool.
Free to Portage YMCA members, $2 for others.

Aquasize

This complete aerobic exercise class is done to music using equipment to tone and sculpt the body. Aquasize is a non-impact exercise that improves strength, flexibility and endurance. Participants of all ages, swimmers and non-swimmers alike, can take part in this type of exercise. 
Free for Primary Plus members, $2 per class for Primary members, $3 per class for others.
Adult Swim Lessons

Adult swim lessons are scheduled upon request. Skill level may range from terrified of water, where instructors work with students to help them overcome their fears and begin to develop basic swimming skills, to beginners for adults who don't feel at ease in the water or have never participated in swim lessons, to intermediate or advanced swimmers who are comfortable in the water and who would like to work on stroke development and endurance. Scheduling is flexible! Please contact Chad Franks, Aquatics Coordinator at 762-YMCA(9622) - or chad@aymcaofportage.org for information or to schedule lessons.

COST OF FOUR LESSONS 
$ 16.80 for Primary Plus; $24 for Primary; $48 for others.

LOCKER ROOM HOURS - 15 minutes before and after pool hours
Adult Swim Lessons are scheduled by calling 762-YMCA

 

THE YMCA: America's favorite swimming instructor for over one hundred years.

PROGRESSIVE SWIM LESSONS

Session III - November 3 - 26, 2008

Our swim lessons use a progressive teaching method that enables participants to develop life-long skills that can help them stay healthy, and also gain a sense of accomplishment. Our progressive approach and low student to instructor ratio allows each child to proceed at their own page. Each class is 30 minutes in length with play time at the end of each lesson. 

Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. 
Sessions and starting times are given below.
Classes are 30 minutes -  makeups may be done on Friday if an emergency or illness makes regularly scheduled class impossible. (Limit of one makeup per session per student.)
A YMCA membership is required. 
REGISTRATION FOR THE NEXT MONTH OF SWIM LESSONS OPENS ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

Shrimp (Parent/Child Class)
This is an introduction to the aquatic environment for parents and their children ages 6 months to 36 months. Children learn basic swimming skills through song, games, and play. 
Monthly Fee: $ 21 Primary Plus: $30 for Primary
Pike (Preschool Class)
This level is designed for new swimmers, ages three and four, to develop comfort, independence and safety in the water. The basic building blocks of swimming are taught through blowing bubbles, kicking, and basic progressions of front and back crawl. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Polliwog (Beginners Class)
This is the beginning level for school-age children. At this level, students learn the front and back crawl progressions, glides, and begin to tread water. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Guppy (Advanced Beginners Class)
Children in this level continue to develop their front and back crawl strokes. Elementary backstroke and diving are introduced. At the end of this level, children can swim the length of the pool without assistance. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Minnow (Intermediate)
At this point, students refine the crawl strokes and elementary backstroke while increasing their endurance. They are introduced to sidestroke, breast stroke, butterfly stroke and flip turns. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Fish (Advanced Intermediate)
Increase stamina in floating and treading; further refine front and back crawl; elementary backstroke; butterfly; sidestroke; underwater swimming; more synchronized skills; basic first aid. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Flying Fish (Advanced)
Extended floating and treading with eggbeater kick; elementary backstroke with a glide, lifesaving stroke; butterfly; breaststroke with open turns; reinforce fitness habits; extension assists, and shallow water underwater search.   
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
 

OPEN SWIM

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PHSW
POOL

 

 

 
 

 FALL POOL HOURS

LOCKER ROOM HOURS — 15 minutes before and after pool hours
CLOSED on Saturdays and Sundays, November 27 & 28, December 22 - January 2
Adult Swim Lessons are scheduled by calling the 762-YMCA

FREE Family Swim every Friday of every month
(one adult per family required to stay in pool area)

From November 3 - December 19

Mon. - Fri. ----- 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
  MON TUE WED THU FRI
Open swim 6:00 - 8:45 7:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 7:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45
Lap swim (one lane reserved) 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45
Aquasize   6:00 - 7:00   6:00 - 7:00  

Fall Swim Lesson Schedule is located in the Aquatics Program Trifold

 

AQUATICS FACTS
  • The Aquatics program teaches approximately thirty children a month how to swim.
  • Thanks to a donation from Porter the Portage High School west pool is handicapped accessible.
  • Many people use the YMCA’s time at the pool for rehabilitation purposes.
  • Many people enjoy and benefit from lap swimming during the YMCA pool times.
  • Aquasize helps participants benefit from both the support resistance of the water.