SWIMMING LESSONS

Swimming is something that everyone should know how to do. We have knowledgeable instructors that will teach young children to swim and assist adults in becoming more proficient and confident swimmers. We offer 4:1, 6:1, and 8:1 ratios for smaller group instruction at VBGCQ.

Swim lessons are available four times a year::

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Fall Session: September - December
Winter Session: January - March
Spring Session: March - June
Summer Session: July - August

WINTER 2025 LEARN-TO-SWIM

The open registration for the 2025 Winter session is scheduled for January 4th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For those who are interested in our Parent & Me, Preschool Explorers, Level 1, or Adult Beginner classes—which are intended for people with little to no prior swimming experience—there will not be a swimming assessment required during the registration process. Please bring the following items on the day of registration if you or your kid would like to sign up for one of our higher-level sessions: a swimsuit, a cap, goggles, and a towel.

Before signing up, it is crucial for you or your child to confirm that taking lessons is a sincere interest. We regret to inform you that refunds are not available for classes that have already been paid for. If you or your child decide to discontinue the class, you will only be able to receive credit for future use towards any activity within VBGC.

There are only a few classes open for registration since they are the ones left over from the priority registration of the previous session. Following registration, classes may be subject to modifications or cancellations, depending on the number of students on the waiting list and the popularity of certain classes.

SWIM CLASS OPTIONS

Parent & Me (Water Acclimation)

Age: 6 months–2 years
Class length: 30 minutes
Qualification: None needed

Adult participation: Each lesson requires one parent or guardian per child to be present in the pool.

In this class, both parents and children will learn how to adapt to life in the water. We are taking away their fears and making them feel comfortable in the water.

Skills practiced:

Play-based exploration of the aquatic environment
Basic water safety and aquatic skills

Preschool Explorers Beginners (Water Exploration)

Age: 3–5 years
Class length: 30 minutes

Qualification: None needed

Students who are uncomfortable in the water and are not prepared to explore. We concentrate on fundamentals, safety, and freedom while on the water.

Skills practiced:

Blow bubbles from mouth
Bobbing up and down, holding on to the well
Slide entry into the pool
Going from the wall to the island by bobbing up and down in the water
Starfish (Floating)

Preschool Explorers Intermediate (Water Exploration)

Age: 3–5 years
Class length: 30 minutes

Qualification: None needed

Students begin to feel comfortable in the water and are eager to explore. We prioritize fun, safety, and independence when on the water.

Skills practiced:

Bob and blowing bubbles
Flutter kick
Flutter kicks on their back
Streamline
Jumping from the deep end

Level 1 (Essential Aquatic Skills)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes

Qualification: None needed. This class is for children who are not yet comfortable submerging themselves in water on their own.

This class is for beginner swimmers who are not yet comfortable in the water. Students will develop basic swimming skills to prepare for our more advanced levels by learning beginner strokes on their front and back.

Skills practiced:

Bob and blowing bubbles
Flutter kick
Flutter kicks on their back
Streamline
Jumping from the deep end

Level 2 (Stroke Development)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes

Qualification: The student must demonstrate all Level 1 skills.

Swimmers should already be able to float on their front and back and put their heads underwater. Students will learn better stroke techniques and begin swimming longer distances on their own to develop strength and endurance.

Skills practiced:

Freestyle
Backstroke
Sit down dive
Treading water

Level 3 (Stroke Improvement)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must demonstrate all Level 2 skills.

Students should already be comfortable swimming freestyle and backstroke in deep water. They are building endurance in freestyle and backstroke.

Skills practiced:

Freestyle
Backstroke
Kneeling dive
Treading water

Level 4 (Stroke Refinement)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must demonstrate all Level 3 skills.

Swimmers should already be able to swim freestyle and backstroke for one lap. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of breaststroke.

Skills practiced:

Breaststroke
Diving from the block
Freestyle flip turn
Treading water

Level 5 (Stroke Proficiency)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must demonstrate all Level 4 skills.

Swimmers should already be able to swim freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke. They will be introduced to the core fundamentals of butterfly.

Skills practiced:

Butterfly
Diving from the diving block
Freestyle flip turn
Treading water

Level 6 (Speed and Stamina)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must demonstrate all Level 5 skills.

Students should be able to perform all strokes. They will perfect their freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly while constantly moving to increase distance, stamina, and speed.

Skills practiced:

Freestyle
Backstroke
Breaststroke
Butterfly
Diving from the diving block
Freestyle flip turn
Treading water

VBGC Pro (Aquatic Conditioning)

Age: 6–11 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must demonstrate all Level 6 skills.

Students will continue to refine all major competitive strokes, develop endurance, and improve their starts and turns. A fantastic option for those who want to compete without committing to a team.

Skills practiced:

Improving technique for every stroke
Starts and flip turns
Dives

Teen Beginner (Swim Basics)

Age: 12–17 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: None needed. This class is for teens who are not yet comfortable submerging themselves in water on their own.

This class allows the inexperienced or fearful teen to become more comfortable in the water and enjoy the water.

Skills practiced:

Bob and blowing bubbles
Flutter kicks on their own
Flutter on their backs on their own
Streamline on their side with a kickboard
Jumping from the deep end
Treading water

Teen Intermediate (Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes )

Age: 12–17 years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must exhibit all Level 4 and Level 5 skills.

This class allows teens to be introduced to correct swimming techniques and develop confidence and endurance as novice swimmers.

Skills practiced:

Breaststroke
Diving from the block
Freestyle flip turn
Treading water

Adult Beginner (The Basics)

Age: 18+ years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: None needed. This class is for adults who are not yet comfortable submerging themselves in water on their own.

This class allows an inexperienced or fearful adult to become more comfortable in the water.

Skills practiced:

Freestyle
Backstroke
Kneel dive
Treading water

Adult Intermediate (Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes)

Age: 18+ years
Class length: 45 minutes
Qualification: The student must exhibit all Level 4 and Level 5 skills.

This class introduces adults to proper swimming techniques and helps them gain confidence and endurance as novice swimmers.

Skills practiced:

Breaststroke
Butterfly
Diving from the block
Freestyle flip turn
Treading water

CANCELLATIONS / INCLEMENT WEATHER / POOL-RELATED ISSUES :

In the event of inclement weather, please note that swim lessons at the Variety Boys & Girls Club may be subject to cancellation. Imagine a scenario where there is a thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall. The determination of class status will be made by reviewing hourly forecasts as early in the day as possible. We will make sure to promptly notify all families through phone and email. To determine if a class is still taking place during inclement weather, it is recommended that all members call in advance to verify.

If classes are cancelled due to bad weather or issues with the pool, Variety Boys and Girls of Queens accounts will receive automatic credits.

To cancel your enrollment for the Learn to Swim program, please send an email to Dion Seraneau, the aquatic director, at dseraneau@bgcqueens.org or Noeli at Noeli@varietyboysandgirlsclub.org.

GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS:

Before enrolling in a session, it is important for you or your child to be certain about their desire to take lessons. Once classes have been paid for, please note that refunds are not available. However, the Boys & Girls Club will provide a credit that can be used for future purposes.

It is strictly prohibited to leave anyone younger than 18 years old unattended at the pool. When they are not in the pool, the safety of each and every student is the full responsibility of their parents or guardians.

To ensure a comfortable and safe experience during our swimming lessons, we kindly request that ladies wear a one-piece swimsuit and gentlemen wear swim trunks. Additionally, it is recommended that all participants wear swim caps and goggles for added convenience and protection. Please remember to bring a towel and either slippers or water shoes to navigate the potentially slippery deck. Children participating in Parent & Me or Preschool Explorers classes are required to wear a swim diaper.

Please make sure that your child removes any bandages or band-aids before attending class. If your child has an open cut or other wounds, they may not be allowed to attend class.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to prioritize their child's progress in the pool by refraining from using their cell phones and giving their full attention to their child. If you have any questions or concerns, you can address them after class.

It is important to refrain from disrupting your child's or other children's lessons by yelling or calling their names.

Enrollment in the program may be terminated if a student or parent consistently fails to follow VBGC rules regarding safety and class time.

POLICIES:

Class attendance is crucial for the progress of our members. While we acknowledge that unexpected situations may occur, we kindly request that you make every effort to attend class and arrive on time.

The Variety Boys and Girls Club does not provide make-up lessons. However, members will receive credits that can be used for any future activity within the club. These credits will be applied to the member's VBGC account.

To respect everyone's privacy, we kindly request that you refrain from taking photos or videos in the pool area.

It is necessary for everyone to take a shower before entering the pool.