Pool Time at the YMCA

aquatics father and daughter
The YMCA has a long history of teaching swim lessons. In fact, the Y is credited for being first to develop a group swim instruction program in 1906. We have come a long way since that first group lesson. Our aquatics curriculum is extensively research-based and enables swimmers to advance more confidently and quickly through the stages.

New to YMCA Swim Lessons? View our Swim Lesson Overview and Swim Lesson Stage Guide below to discover the correct lesson for your child.

 

See Schedule for Youth Group Swim Lessons

Group Swim Lesson Registration

Use this infographic guide to help you know what level is right for your child.

Swim Lesson Selector Overvew Page 1

Swim Lesson Selector Overvew Page 2R

Private Lessons

All skill levels – All ages 30 minutes
Private lessons are a great option for swimmers looking to catch up or get ahead. These lessons give you individualized attention to help improve or master swimming skills. You set the agenda by working with the instructor to determine goals. The curriculum is customized to meet these goals.

See Schedule

Private & Semi-Private Swim Lesson Schedules & Registration

Adult/Teen Swim Lesson Schedules & Registration

Certification/recertification in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, First Aid, CPR/AED, and Administering Emergency Oxygen; these are all valid for 2 years. Participants will also receive a CPR Pocket Mask and Lifeguard Training manual. Participants must attend all classes in order to be eligible to pass the course.
Contact our Red Cross Admin for more information.

Pre-requisites:

Spokane Branches – Full Lifeguard Certification

  • At least 15 years old by the last day of class.
  • Swim a continuous 150 yards (3 laps down and back), stop in the deep end and immediately tread water for 2 minutes using legs only, followed by swimming another 50 yards (1 lap down and back)– may use front crawl/freestyle or breaststroke; swimming on back or side not permitted.
  • Swim 20 yards, dive down 7-10 feet and retrieve a 10-pound brick, return to the surface and swim with the brick back to the starting point within 1 minute and 40 seconds.

Sandpoint Litehouse Branch – Shallow Water Lifeguard Certification (up to 5 foot water depth)

  • At least 15 years old by the last day of class.
  • Swim a continuous 50 yards (1 laps down and back), stop and immediately float on back or tread water using legs only for 2 minutes, followed by swimming another 50 yards (1 lap down and back)– may use front crawl/freestyle or breaststroke; swimming on back or side not permitted.
  • Swim 20 yards, submerge to a depth of 4-5 feet and retrieve a 10-pound brick, return to the surface and walk or swim with the brick back to the starting point within 50 seconds.

See Schedule

Lifeguard Training Registration

All skill levels – Ages 6-18 years

Our swim team embraces the core values of the YMCA: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Furthermore, the team seeks to provide opportunities for social and emotional development, a physical and recreational outlet, and an atmosphere of good sportsmanship, teamwork and fun for all. The swim team is for swimmers of all abilities, from ages 6-18. Our dedicated and experienced coaches will provide each swimmer with the maximum opportunity for development. Our team is a great way to start competitive swimming. We hold practices with an emphasis on stroke technique and conditioning in a fun environment. Below are our endurance pre-requisites.

BEGINNER 45-minute Practice: 50 yards any stroke | 25 yards freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke

INTERMEDIATE 60-minute Practice: 100 yards any stroke | 50 yards freestyle (with rotary side breathing), backstroke, and breaststroke | 25 butterfly
Practices contain 1,000-1,500 yards of swimming

ADVANCED 60-minute Practice: 200 yards any stroke | 100 yards freestyle (with rotary side breathing), backstroke, and breaststroke | 50 butterfly | Flip Turns
Practices contain 1,500-2,000 yards of swimming

If your child is new to the novice swim team, we advise registering for a 15-minute scheduled swim team evaluation with our coaches to assess the best group to join or have passed a stage 5 course with the Y swim lessons. More information can be found on our website, or you can contact your local branch.

See Schedule

Novice Swim Team Registration

YMCA INW Masters Swim Team

YMCA MASTERS LOGO 8

Welcome to the YMCA INW Masters Swim Team! Join us to build community and achieve your fitness goals, regardless of your swimming background.

Membership Requirement:
You must be a member of the YMCA of the Inland Northwest to join our team. There is no additional fee to participate in swim workouts.

  • U.S. Masters Swimming
    Register for U.S. Masters Swimming to compete in meets and attend local clinics!

Practice Schedule

Central Spokane YMCA 

  • Mondays, Wednesdays: 5:30 – 6:30am
  • Tuesdays, Thursdays: 11:30am – 12:45pm

North Spokane YMCA

  • Tuesdays: 6 – 7pm
  • Wednesdays: Noon – 1:15pm
  • Saturdays: 9:30 – 10:45am

Spokane Valley YMCA

  • Mondays: 5:30 -6:30am

See Schedule & Register through our YMCA360 app on your desktop or mobile device.

Questions? Contact Daryn Maughan, Masters Swim Coach


YMCA Masters Swim Team Shines Again at Inland NW Championship!

INAM 2025 Champs Masters Swim Group

We are proud to share that our YMCA Masters Swim Team (INAM) has once again claimed victory, earning the title of Inland Northwest Masters Swimming League Champions for another consecutive year! Representing one of 11 dynamic teams spanning Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, our athletes demonstrated unmatched talent, dedication, and sportsmanship.

The championship meet was held in the energetic and welcoming community of Moscow, ID, on Saturday, April 12th, hosted by our friends at the Moscow Chinooks Masters Swim Club. It was a day full of fast swims, spirited support, and lasting camaraderie.

This year, 19 of our swimmers took to the pool, showing up in full force and making a powerful impact. Our team made waves by setting multiple new Inland Northwest records, including:

🏅 Emily Munday (35–39 age group): 100 Backstroke
🏅 Galen Denio: (75–79 age group): 200 Backstroke and 200 Butterfly
🏅 Women’s 400 Free Relay 35+: Alex McAnally, Emily Munday, Daryn Maughan, Jen Polello
🏅 Mixed 400 Free Relay 65+: Galen Denio, Paula Smith, Blake Nelson, Pam Baker

Adding to the celebration, our incredible coach Lessly Field was honored with the Model Master Award, recognizing her outstanding leadership and her unwavering commitment to welcoming and promoting Masters swimming in our local community.

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We also extend our congratulations and cheering support to Carolyn Sievers, who not only earned the Women’s High Point Award at this year’s meet but will also be representing our team at the 2025 Spring Short Course National Meet in San Antonio, Texas, later this April. Go Carolyn!

With each stroke and every cheer, our YMCA Masters Swim Team continues to embody the core values of the YMCA—community, teamwork, and healthy living. Here’s to another unforgettable season in the water! 💙

Jump in, the water’s great! Check out the variety of water exercise classes available for adults looking to challenge themselves without stress on joints or who just enjoy the water. Instructors lead small groups through water aerobics, core strengthening and much more.

Gain muscle conditioning and cardiovascular endurance from the aerobic choreography and the resistance of the water. Ideal for all fitness levels & non-swimmers.

Water Exercise classes require a reservation at our Spokane Y locations. 

Lazy River – North YMCA

  • Children must be at least 48″ tall or pass a swim test to enter the Lazy River without an adult.

Slide – Valley YMCA

  • Children must be at least 48″ tall. Parents may not accompany a child on the slide.

Kids Wading Pool Play Structure – Central YMCA

  • Children must be at least 36″ tall to use the wading pool play structure slide.

Warm Water Pool – Central YMCA

  • Children ages 4 & under, as well as older children who are unable to complete a swim test, MUST be accompanied IN THE WATER by an adult (18+) within arms reach at all times.
  • Children ages 5 & 6 who can pass a swim test MUST be supervised IN THE POOL AREA by an adult (18+).
  • Children ages 7 and older may swim without an adult in the pool area upon successful completion of the swim test.

Recreation Pools:
North YMCA
Valley YMCA

  • Children ages 4 & under, as well as older children who are unable to complete a swim test, MUST be accompanied IN THE WATER by an adult (18+) within arms reach at all times.
  • Children ages 5 & 6 who can pass a swim test MUST be supervised IN THE POOL AREA by an adult (18+).
  • Children ages 7 and older may swim without an adult in the pool area upon successful completion of the swim test.

Lap Pools:
Central YMCA
North YMCA
Valley YMCA
Litehouse YMCA

  • Children ages 4 & under, as well as older children who are unable to complete a swim test, MUST be accompanied IN THE WATER by an adult (18+) within arms reach at all times.
  • Children ages 5 & 6 who can pass a swim test MUST be supervised IN THE POOL AREA by an adult (18+).
  • Children ages 7 and older may swim without an adult in the pool area upon successful completion of the swim test.

Sauna:
Central YMCA
North YMCA
South YMCA
Valley YMCA
Litehouse YMCA

Steam Room:
Central YMCA
Litehouse YMCA

Jacuzzi:
Central YMCA
North YMCA
Valley YMCA
Litehouse YMCA

YMCA of the Inland Northwest
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