YMCA Wood Buffalo - Little Dippers Program

Health & Fitness / Little Dippers Program

Raise a water baby... this program allows the parent to watch the progress of their child. It is designed to familiarize the child with the water environment through a variety of songs, games, and skill development.

Note: Parent must accompany child.

Parent & Tot Lessons

Age: 6-18mo Splasher
Splashers will become acquainted with breath control, floats and various movements.

Age: 19-36mo Bubbler
Bubblers will become confident in the water and will learn new games.

Lil' Dippers Program

This program allows the parent to watch the progress of their child. It is designed to familiarize the child with the water environment through a variety of songs, games, and skill development.

Age: 3-5yrs Bobber
Bobbers learn activities to gain confidence in the water. The child will be introduced to floats and games with a face in the water progression.

Age: 3-5yrs Floater
The focus of floater is front and back floats and glides. The child will also work on front and back swim to a distance of 15 meters. This class is an introduction to the pool.

Age: 3-5yrs Glider
Gliders are encouraged to become more independent, comfortable in the water, with continuous work on skills and endurance.

Age: 3-5yrs Divers
Divers are introduced to deep-water activities, side glides and development of arm action. Continuous development of front and back swims up to a distance of 10 meters.

Age: 3-5yrs Surfer
Surfers will continue developing front and back swims up to a distance of 15 meters. They will also explore diving, creative entries and surface support.

Age: 3-5yrs Dippers
Dippers focus on building endurance through a 25-meter swim. Swimming is continually refined on front, back and deep-water activities and skills explored.

Aquatic Information

For your child's safety and to ensure the swimming pool is available for use by all participants, we ask the following:

Children who are not toilet trained must wear either "swimmer diapers" or plastic pants with elastic waistband and leg bands. Swim diapers are available for sale at the Membership Services desk.
Please do not feed your child within 30 minutes before entering the pool
Individuals with open cuts, respiratory infections, planterÕs warts, ringworm or any other casually transmitted pathogens are not to be brought to swim in the pool.
Swimmers must take a warm, soapy shower before entering the pool
Proper swim attire must be worn in the pool (no outdoor clothing or underwear)
Children aged 6-9 years must have direct (on deck) supervision of a parent or caregiver over the age of 16.
Children of any age who cannot touch the bottom or cannot swim 25 m must be accompanied in the water within arms reach by a parent or caregiver over the age of 16.
Workers must accompany any individual requiring a support worker and the use of a Personal Floatation Device (i.e. lifejacket) in the water. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty.

Rolling Registration

The YMCA of Wood Buffalo offers a model for our swimming lessons that allows for the progression of a participant without the hassle of continuous re-registration.

Rolling registration allows swimmers to progress through levels at their own pace. The first lesson will be devoted to level testing to ensure that children of similar abilities are grouped together.

Swim Lessons are offered in 30-minute time slots Ðallowing you to choose the time that best suits your family's busy schedule. Registration times will be announced for non-members.

Due to high demand, we ask that children do not miss more than 3 consecutive classes, excluding holidays and periods of illness. If a child is going to be absent from their class, please call ahead of time and let the aquatics department know that they will be missing to avoid the loss of your space.

Swim Lessons

Qualified swim instructors teach all lessons at the YMCA. Your child will experience the water, learn skills and have fun. Your child will continue to progress until they have reached the pinnacle of instruction for their swim level.