Swim Lessons
Throughout the year, we run small group lessons of 4 children per 1 instructor. In these small groups there are other children of similar age and abilities. Classes are designed for kids as young as 6 months to as old as 14.
During the months of June and July, our swim lesson schedule opens up to where we run 5+ hours of lessons a day - 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours at night at different locations in Yuma. We also run private lessons year-round.
How Do Our Lessons Work?
Our swim lessons are 40 minutes long and meet for 6 classes. In these classes, we go over water safety and learning skills to enable children to swim on their own. As the classes progress, the skills get harder, and we work towards swimming independently.
Who are our instructors?
Our instructors are local swimming & teaching professionals who have one or more of the following qualifications: American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, USA Swimming Coach, or certified teacher. Our focus is on quality instructors who are comfortable handling children.
Class Levels:
Ages 6 months - 36 month: Parent & Me
Ages 2 - 3 years old: Big Tots
Ages 4-5 years old: Preschool 1-3
Ages 6+: Levels 1-6
2026 Summer Swim Lesson Start Dates: 6/2, 6/16, 6/30, 7/14
2026 Pool Locations: Carver & Marcus Pools
Carver Pool Yuma Pool
Marcus Pool Yuma Pool
2026 Cost: $125 (for the 6, 40 minute classes)
Schedule: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday for two weeks. Classes are 40 minutes each.
3 years & Under
Parent & Me, Big Tots
Children 3 years & younger begin with our water acclimation classe. These classes are designed to get your child used to the water.
An instructor will take you through a series of games, songs, and water safety skills to help your child feel comfortable in a pool.
Requires a guardian with the child in the water.
Big Tots
This class is designed to bridge the gap between Parent & Me and Preschool 1. Children will sit on the edge of the pool while waiting their turn. They will work on developing basic skills needed in later classes - floating on front and back, holding their breathing, kicking with assistance, etc. This class is great for children who are apprehensive or unsure about the water.
Does not require a guardian in the water.
4-5 Years Old
Preschool 1-3
Preschool 1
This class is an entry level class for 4-5 year olds. For most, this is their first swimming lesson. We take things very slow with the goal of a child being able to submerge their head in the water and feel comfortable working on different skills. Must pass to move on.
Preschool 2
After passing Preschool 1, Preschool 2 implements more water safety skills done without the assistance of an instructor. Students now try to float and move through the water without help. Must pass to move on.
Preschool 3
This class is the culmination of Preschool level classes. While designed for 4-5 year olds, it pushes children to master skills like front & back crawl, breathing while swimming, and retrieving objects underwater without help. This is a very hard class!
"Preschool" simply means children who haven't entered 1st grade yet. You don't have to be in Preschool to join these classes.
6+ Years Old
Levels 1-6
Our Learn to Swim Classes are offered to children 6 and older. All children must start in Level 1 and pass each level to move up.
Level 1 begins with the basics of swimming - floating, holding your breath, simple and arm and leg motions, etc. By Level 6, children will be able to do all four strokes of competitive swimming, dive from the edge, and swim a distance of 500 yards.
WHY ARE SWIM LESSONS IMPORTANT?
Yuma Aqua Academy's philosophy focuses on long-term development, which allows for gradual development of swimmers in the early stages, and adaptation as they progress. Our swim lesson program fosters self-improvement, personal growth, and goal achievement through a multi-phase process. Competition helps develop their natural abilities and pushes their teammates to do the same. Values such as hard work, self-discipline and perseverance create a culture of motivated, positive athletes and team success.