Pauline Bourgoin, a YMCA Tiny Tot swim instructor for more than 55 years, is seen here with Katy Kimble during Tiny Tot lessons.

New YMCA swim sessions to start

AUBURN – The Auburn-Lewiston YMCA has announced its next session of swim lessons set to begin the week of April 28. The YMCA offers the following classes: Parent and Tot, 6 to 18 months; Water Babies, 18 to 24 months; Tiny Tots, ages 2 to 5; youth progressive lessons, 6 and up; and adult swim lessons. All YMCA swim classes run in eight-week sessions.

Parent and Tot is a 30-minute class designed to introduce infants to the water. A parent is required to participate in the class with the child. Class is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturdays.

Water Babies is a 15-minute class catering to the timid new swimmer and has a 1:1 child/instructor ratio. Classes are held at 10 a.m. Mondays.

The Tiny Tot program is geared toward teaching kids to swim and feel safe in and around the water. Classes run for 30 minutes. Lessons are offered Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, Thursday afternoons and Monday evenings. Advanced Tiny Tot classes are held on Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.

Youth progressive lessons, part of the National YMCA Swim Lesson Program, are designed to improve children’s swimming skills, teach new skills, work on endurance and stroke techniques and survival skills.

Children will be placed in a class based on their swim abilities. Classes are 45 minutes, and the schedule is as follows: Polliwog or Guppy, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 6 p.m. or Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.; Minnow, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 6:45 p.m.; Fish, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 6:45 p.m. or Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.; Flying Fish, Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.; Shark, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Class size is limited. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-served basis. All participants must be YMCA members. A yearly (social) membership for those ages 5 and under is $20; youth membership,s $45. All the above classes have a $50 program fee.

Adult swim lessons are offered Wednesdays 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Non-members must pay a $20 adult social membership fee (good for a year). All participants must pay the $50 program fee.

The YMCA is also holding registration for water exercise programs. Water aerobics is a lower impact cardiovascular workout for adults of all ages. Classes are Monday through Friday 8 to 8:45 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Classes are free for those with a YMCA full privilege membership. Non-members must pay a $20 social membership fee and a $65 program fee.

The YMCA also offers lifeguard certification training, adult lap swims, family/open swims, scout swims and pool rental rates for splash parties.

For more information, stop by the YMCA at 62 Turner St., call the YMCA at 795-4095 or visit www.alymca.com.