Preparing for Your Swim Lessons

PREPARING FOR UPCOMING LESSONS

Things you will need:

  • Swimsuit and towel
  • A way to tie loose hair back
  • Non-potty-trained children must have a swim diaper with a swim cover (must have a gathered leg)
  • Goggles (optional) 
  • Swim cap (optional)
  • A lock (optional if using the locker room)
Where do I check in?

When you arrive at the Y, if you're a Y member, you will check in using your member barcode. 

If you are not a Y member, you will stop by the Welcome Desk on your first visit. You will receive a program access card with a barcode number. You will use this card to check in each time you come to the Y for your lesson. 

Where do I change?

Locker rooms are available for use. If you would like to use a locker to store personal belongings, please bring a lock. 

Parents with children ages 13 and younger are encouraged to use family locker rooms where available. These changing rooms are also available to those who require special assistance.

  • Ages 13+ may use locker rooms without parent/guardian supervision. 
  • Ages 10-12 may use locker rooms without parent/guardian supervision, provided the parent/guardian is on the premises.
  • Ages 4–9 may only use locker rooms under direct supervision of parent or supervising guardian.

To maximize our pool instruction time, please have your child use the restroom before the start of class. 

 

Where do I meet my instructor?

Once you are checked in, proceed to the pool deck. You will see a Swim Lesson Check-In sign. Your instructor will meet you there. 

What if I miss a lesson or need to cancel?
  • If the YMCA has to cancel swim lessons, you will receive a full refund.
  • If you have to cancel after signing up for swim lessons prior to the start date, the YMCA will provide you with a 100% credit (good for three months) to be applied toward another program. Credits are valid for all YMCA services, but credits are nontransferable.
  • No refunds or credits can be given if you cancel after the program begins
  • If a lesson is cancelled by the Y, a makeup lesson will be offered if possible. Otherwise, a credit will be issued. Credits are valid for all YMCA services, but credits are nontransferable.
  • No refund or credit can be given for a missed lesson due to participant circumstances.
Inclement weather

In the event of severe weather, such as lightning and thunder, we will close the pool and cancel lessons. If it is storming 20 minutes before the start of a lesson, we will cancel that lesson. You may visit our Inclement Weather dashboard to view the pool status at any time. At times, inclement weather arrives unplanned and forces us to close the pool after lessons have begun. The weather changes quickly, as you know, so we try to minimize cancellations where possible.

Snow and ice may cause the YMCA to be closed or have a delayed opening and cause lessons to be canceled. Check for closures on our web page ymcashr.org, Facebook page, or Text the word YMCAALERT to 1-833-222-2118 to receive text message alerts. (You may unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP, standard text messaging rates apply.)

Who can I contact if I need help?

Need help with your swim lesson registration? Contact one of our team members, and we'll be happy to help!

Chesapeake

Name Email Phone
Great Bridge/Hickory Family YMCA

Angie Meseke
Mackenzie Lucy

ameseke@ymcashr.org
mlucy@ymcashr.org

(757) 530-8349
(757) 982-0387
Greenbrier Family YMCA Mary Escobar mescobar@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5520 
Taylor Bend Family YMCA Kelly Bridgman taylorbendyaquatics@ymcashr.org (757) 275-9511

Currituck

     
Currituck Family YMCA DJ Kopazy dkophazy@ymcashr.org (252) 484-6314

Eastern Shore

     
Eastern Shore Family YMCA Tasha Lucy tlucy@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5525
Northampton County YMCA Tasha Lucy tlucy@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5525

Elizabeth City

     
Albemarle Family YMCA Christina Weiss cweiss@ymcashr.org (252) 484-6240

Franklin

     
James L. Camp Jr. Family YMCA Elizabeth Williams elizabethwilliams@ymcashr.org (757) 447-5971

Norfolk

     
Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA Dr. Joe Rampersad blockeryaquatics@ymcashr.org (757) 499-2313
YMCA on Granby Ed Khawly granbyyaquatics@ymcashr.org (757) 609-0637

Outer Banks

     
Outer Banks Family YMCA Sam Wills swills@ymcashr.org (252) 248-3563

Portsmouth

     
Effingham Street Family YMCA Shannon Dodsworth sdodsworth@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5512
YMCA of Portsmouth Shannon Dodsworth sdodsworth@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5512

South Boston

     
YMCA of South Boston/Halifax County Meagan Peterson mpeterson@ymcashr.org (434) 230-9746

Suffolk

     
Suffolk Family YMCA Christie White cwhite@ymcashr.org

(757) 962-5548

Virginia Beach

     
Hilltop Family YMCA Tavion Clark  tclark@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5527
Indian River Family YMCA Joy Thomen indianriveryaquatics@ymcashr.org (757) 366-0488
Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA Cheri Krawczyk ckrawczyk@ymcashr.org (757) 632-3834
Princess Anne Family YMCA Rachel Cruickshank rcruickshank@ymcashr.org (757) 962-5521
YMCA at JT's Camp Grom Christy Bodnar cbodnar@ymcashr.org (757) 632-3845