Flying Fish Swim School
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19 and are only able to offer the following:
We’re offering private and semi-private sessions for two categories of swimmers:
- those who are self-sufficient and can swim safely without an in-water instructor; and
- “Penguins,” which refers to advanced beginners who can swim at least 10 yards independently and float on their backs. Penguins will have an in-water instructor.
For these swimmers, 30-minute sessions are available:
- Saturday and Sunday between 8:30 am and 2:00 pm
- Weekdays before 3:30 on an ad hoc basis (one lesson at a time)
All of these sessions are held in our 20-yard small pool.
Book all seven weeks and save!
- If you commit to seven weeks in any of the above time slots, the total cost of private sessions is $260 and the total cost of semi-private sessions (two swimmers) is $380.
- Ad hoc private sessions are $45 each and semi-private sessions (two swimmers) are $60 each.
- If you’re NOT committing to all seven weeks, you must choose the 8:30 or 9:15 am time slots for your sessions.
We also have variable opportunities for private and semi-private sessions on weekdays before 3 pm. Contact Aquatics Coordinator Chris Russo for more information.
How to sign up
To sign up for any of the above sessions, email Aquatics Coordinator Chris Russo. Once Chris has confirmed your spot, you can register and pay online using Community Pass.
Due to capacity limits, you must first confirm your spot with Pete before you register and pay via Community Pass. There is no in-person registration.
To use Community Pass, you’ll create an account and add your swimmer(s). You’ll find our programs under “Aquatics.”
Registration on Community Pass requires signing a Covid-19 agreement and waiver. You’ll note that as part of the agreement, there are no locker rooms available and participants must arrive and leave in their swimsuits.
Questions:
Contact Pete Caragher, Director of Flying Fish Aquatics, at pcaragher@ywca-ens.org or call 847-864-8445.
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19. Contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org if you’d like more information. The information below may not currently apply.
Pools
We have two pools – a cool, deep water pool and a warmer, shallow depth pool. Both pools are used for lessons.
Generally, beginners and younger swimmers are in the shallow pool for lessons and more experienced swimmers are in the bigger pool, but when it’s appropriate we may switch pools so that children gain experience in both swimming environments.
Lap swimming and aqua aerobics are in the deep water pool. Both pools are handicapped accessible.
Locker rooms
The girls’ locker room is in the northwest corner of the first floor. The boys’ locker room is in the basement; and there is a small family changing room in the basement. Boys five and under who are accompanied by a parent or caregiver may use the girls’ locker room; and girls five and under who are accompanied by a parent or caregiver may use the boys’ locker room. Both girls’ and boys’ locker rooms have lockers (you provide a lock), showers with liquid soap, and bathroom facilities. Anything you don’t lock up you should keep with you.
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19. Contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org if you’d like more information. The information below does not currently apply.
Instructor training
All of our instructors have 5-15 years of training and experience, and each is certified in CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding. Instructors are sometimes assisted by older swimmers on the swim team.
Instructor/swimmer ratio
At our beginning levels, there are five swimmers per instructor. In groups where children are swimming more independently, there are five to seven swimmers per instructor.
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19. Contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org if you’d like more information. The information below does not currently apply.
Equipment
Other than a bathing suit and towel, equipment needs are few! Caps and goggles are not necessary, but are useful. If your child has long hair and doesn’t want to wear a cap, please tie their hair back from their face. If they are reluctant to put their face in the water without goggles, you may want to purchase a pair. Goggles are always available for purchase at the front desk.
Observing
Please have your child use the bathroom (though it is normal for them to need to go again during class). Enter the pool area from the doors off the shower area of the locker room – a coach on deck will show you to your class and instructor.
Parents are welcome to stay on the pool deck, but it is not recommended that you talk to your child or sit close to their class. Their instructor will speak to you if they need assistance.
If your child is 6 and under and you need to leave the building during their lesson, please let your child’s instructor know.
Pool deck rules
No food, drink, or outside shoes are allowed on pool deck.
Bubbles
We use flotation bubbles on new swimmers for safety. We also occasionally use them for more independent swimmers as an aid to developing proper swimming mechanics.
Free time
Swimmers always get a little free time at the end of class. Though you may be tempted to leave, try to stay – free time is a great period for relaxed exploration in the water.
Exiting the pool area
Upon leaving the pool, swimmers must access the locker rooms by walking through the big pool area. (Health regulations require that you enter and leave the pool area through the shower area.)
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19. Contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org if you’d like more information. The information below may not currently apply.
We have a paved parking lot on the south and west sides of the building. Parking in the lot at the YWCA is free and open to anyone who is using our facilities. Most of the time, finding available parking in our lot is not a problem. Only during the most popular swim lesson times and during occasional swim meets does it get difficult.
We are always in the process of exploring how to make parking easier. We limit the number of children in our classes based on parking, but still there are times it can seem crazy (on Saturday mornings and during occasional swim meets). If you know it’s always like that when you’re at the YWCA, you may want to save yourself the hassle and park on Asbury, just one block away.
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19. Contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org if you’d like more information. The information below does not currently apply.
Consistency is one of the most important aspects of a swimmer’s development. Because of this, we ask that you make your child’s lessons a priority, even when it may not be convenient.
Missed classes
Our make-up policy allow for two make-up lessons per session at a cost of $5 per lesson. These make-ups must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance, by email, and must be within the session for which your child is currently enrolled. Make-ups are by no means guaranteed. We do our best to accommodate, but they are subject to availability as to not disrupt another child’s progress. Email us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org to schedule.
Refunds/Credits
In the case of a serious illness/injury, we may extend a credit for a future session. This offer will only be good for four months. Please request these credits via email, and provide that email as confirmation upon usage. Email us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org to request a credit.
Cancelled classes
If we need to cancel a class, we’ll either credit you for that class or try to schedule a time to make it up.
Note: We are now on a much reduced scheduled due to Covid-19. Contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org if you’d like more information. The information below does not currently apply.
Registration is online until 1 day before a session begins. After that time, you must register in person at the front desk.
Pre-registration for a swim school session is open only to those swimmers currently enrolled. Pre-registration generally begins 2 weeks before open registration.
Open registration is for all swimmers not currently enrolled (whether or not you have taken swim classes at the YWCA in the past). Because many of all of our classes fill up at the most popular times, you may not get the day and time you choose.
We will call you to let you know whether or not you got into the class (or classes) of your choice. If you didn’t get into your preferred class, we’ll let you know which classes are open.
If you are new to lessons at the YWCA, contact us at flyingfish@ywca-ens.org or call us at 847-864-8445 to determine what level would be appropriate for your child.
If your child is 8 or older and is not swimming at an age-appropriate level, you are encouraged to enroll him/her in private lessons to get up to speed.
