Find Your Element. Find Your Y.
Water is everywhere in the Pacific Northwest, especially with Whatcom County being home to many lakes, rivers, bays, and creeks. The Y is here to help you develop the swim skills you need to be safe, confident, and at home wherever you encounter water!
Knowing how to swim and be water-safe is a crucial life skill everyone should have. Swim lessons help kids, teens, and adults of all ages and abilities find joy in swimming and develop a lifelong love of water with a healthy appreciation for water safety.
Swim lessons at the Y are conducted under the careful supervision of certified lifeguards, ensuring the safety of every participant. Moreover, our highly trained swim instructors hold national certifications in instruction, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and First Aid, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle any situation.
Swim Lesson Information at a Glance
General:
All lessons are 30 minutes long.
One group session of lessons consists of eight 30 minute lessons.
Registration opens two weeks prior to each session start.
No make up days are offered for missed classes.
Placement:
Ensure your child is in the correct swim level based on their abilities. Students in a class that is too challenging will be placed in a lower level that may be full.
Contact Emma, Aquatics Director, for assistance: 360 255 0637 or esmith1@whatcomymca.org.
Class Minimum:
A minimum of 3 students is required for a class to run.
Private Lessons:
3 Lessons (30 minutes each):
Members: $150
Non-Members: $225
6 Lessons (30 minutes each):
Members: $300
Non-Members: $450
Contact for Private Lessons:
Aquatics@whatcomymca.org
Whatcom Family YMCA
2026 Swim Lessons
Address: 1256 N. State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Tuesday & Thursday
May 26 - June 18
June 23 - July 16
July 21 - August 13
August 18 - September 19
September 22- October 15
October 20 - November 12
November 17 - December 22 No Lesson November 26 - Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday/Thursday Class Times
| 4:00 - 4:30pm | Preschool A/B, Youth Level 1 & Youth Level 2 | Register |
| 5 - 5:30pm | Youth Level 3 | Register |
| 5:30 - 6pm | Preschool Level 1, Youth Level 4 & Youth Level 5 | Register |
| 6 - 6:30pm | Preschool Level 2, Youth Level 6 & Teen/Adult | Register |
| 6:30 - 7pm | Preschool Level 3 | Register |
Wednesdays
April 29 - June 17
June 24 - August 12
September 9 - October 28
November 4 - December 23
Wednesday Class Times
| 4:30 - 5pm | Preschool A/B, Youth Level 1 & Youth Level 2 | Register |
| 5 - 5:30pm | Youth Level 3, Preschool Level 2 | Register |
| 5:30 - 6pm | Preschool Level 1, Youth Level 4 & Youth Level 5 | Register |
| 6 - 6:30pm | Preschool Level 3, Youth Level 6 & Teen/Adult | Register |
Saturdays
January 10 - February 28
March 7 - April 25
May 2 - June 20
June 27 - August 22 No Lesson July 4 - Independence Day
September 12 - November 7 (No Lesson October 31st - Halloween @ Y Event)
November 14 - December 23
Saturday Class Times
| 10 - 10:30am | Preschool A/B, Youth Level 1 & Youth Level 2 | Register |
| 10:30 - 11am | Preschool A/B, Youth Level 1 & Youth Level 2 | Register |
| 11 - 11:30am | Youth Level 3 | Register |
| 11:30am - Noon | Preschool Level 1, Youth Level 4 & Youth Level 5 | Register |
| Noon - 12:30pm | Preschool Level 2, Preschool Level 4 & Youth Level 6 | Register |
| 12:30pm - 1pm | Preschool Level 3, Teen/Adult | Register |
Sundays
April 26 - June 14
June 21 - August 9
September 13 - November 1
November 8 - December 27
BE WATER READY
Whatcom Family YMCA's Free Safety Around Water Program
Safety Around Water consists of eight lessons designed to teach kids water safety skills that help reduce the risk of drowning and build their skills and confidence in and around water. A typical session includes:
- Exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water
- Instruction in two skill sets kids can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water: Jump, Push, Turn, Grab and Swim, Float, Swim.
- Safety topics like what to do if you see someone in the water who needs help
- Fun activities that reinforce skills