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Why Learning to Swim is So Important
Hi everyone,
My name is Martin, and I’m passionate about teaching kids and families how to be safe and confident in the water. Growing up, swimming was a huge part of my life. It gave me independence, confidence, and friendships that lasted for years. That’s why I believe every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim at a young age.
Learning to swim isn’t just about splashing around at the pool, it’s about safety. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for children, but proper swim skills can save lives. When kids learn early, they can enjoy their summers at the pool without fear and gain the confidence to try new things.
Swimming also opens doors to so many opportunities. Kids who love the water might go on to join their high school swim team or even compete at the collegiate level. But even if they don’t, the skills they gain through swimming, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, will last a lifetime.
That’s why I’m excited to offer group and personal swimming lessons at the Dodge City Family YMCA. My goal is to create a fun, supportive environment where kids (and adults!) feel comfortable learning at their own pace.
What we offer
Level 1
Fall 2024 Water Acclimation
(Preschool Ages 4–5)
🗓 Oct 6 – Oct 29, 2025
⏰Mon & Wed @ 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
What we’ll work on:
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Getting comfortable in the water (blowing bubbles, submerging face)
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Assisted floating on front and back
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Kicking and scooping arms with support
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Jumping in with help and returning to the wall
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Water safety basics (listening to instructions, holding breath)
What you can practice at home:
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Blowing bubbles in the bathtub
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Floating on back with parent support
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Practicing kicking while holding the pool wall
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Talking about pool safety (waiting for an adult before getting in)
Session I & II
Fall 2024 Water Stamina
(Ages 6–14)
🗓 Oct 6 – Oct 29, 2025 (Session I)
🗓 Nov 3 – Nov 26, 2025 (Session II)
⏰Mon & Wed @ 6:10 PM – 6:40 PM
What we’ll work on:
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Building endurance while swimming 15–25 yards
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Independent treading water for at least 1 minute
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Coordinating breathing with strokes
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Developing freestyle and backstroke technique
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Safe entries and exits from deep water
What you can practice at home:
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Swimming across the pool without stopping
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Practicing breathing to the side every few strokes
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Treading water for increasing amounts of time
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Floating in deep water without assistance
Session I – Level 2
Fall Water Movement
(Ages 6–14)
🗓 Oct 6 – Oct 29, 2025
⏰Tue & Thu @ 9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
What we’ll work on:
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Floating and gliding on front and back independently
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Kicking and using arms together
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Beginning side breathing while swimming
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Treading water with assistance
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Basic water safety (finding the wall, swimming back to the edge)
What you can practice at home:
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Streamlining and gliding in a straight line
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Practicing side breathing with a parent’s help
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Kicking on a kickboard or while holding the wall
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Jumping in and swimming back to the wall
Level 4
Fall Stroke Introduction
(Ages 6–14)
🗓 Nov 3 – Nov 26, 2025
⏰Mon & Wed @ 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
What we’ll work on:
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Perfecting freestyle and backstroke
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Learning breaststroke and butterfly basics
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Flip turns and open turns
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Increasing endurance and stroke efficiency
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Water safety for open water and deep water
What you can practice at home:
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Counting strokes to improve rhythm
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Practicing kick sets with a board
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Freestyle breathing every 3 strokes to build endurance
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Dolphin kicks and sculling drills
Why Swimming Lessons Can Lead to a Swim Team & Beyond
A Parent’s Perspective
Swimming lessons are more than just a seasonal activity, they can be the start of an exciting journey for your child.
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Building Confidence Early: When kids learn water skills young, they develop a natural comfort in the water.
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YMCA Swim Team Readiness: Many of our swimmers transition from lessons to the YMCA swim team, where they gain discipline, learn teamwork, and set personal goals.
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High School Swim Team Opportunities: Continued practice through adolescence can lead to participation in competitive high school swimming, an amazing way for kids to belong to a team and stay active.
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College & Scholarships: Competitive swimming can open doors to college scholarships and opportunities at the collegiate level.
Even if your child never competes, the lessons learned through swimming, discipline, perseverance, time management, and self-confidence, help them succeed in every aspect of life.