Swimming & Safety
At the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA we are passionate about everything aquatics! One of the most important skills you can have is knowing how to swim. In addition, we offer comprehensive life-saving safety programs throughout the year, that provide powerful knowledge and skills in the event an emergency arises. The time to prepare is now!
Swim Lessons
There’s nowhere better to learn to swim than the Y!
We have been helping kids and adults swim for more than 140 years. The Geneva Lakes Family YMCA swimming lessons are available for ages 6 months through adult. We offer:
- Curriculum focused on safety and core skill development
- Trained instructors
- 2 pools, including a 25-yard lap pool and warm-water lesson pool, featuring a UV system
- Y lessons teach more than just techniques, they are about building confidence and nurturing potential, progressing with your needs and abilities, from introductory to competitive.
Mothers (Dads too!) and Munchkins | Ages 0-5
Swim to Work Program
This program is free! Yes...free! This is a readiness and training program that aims to take high school students and retired-age adults through the process of becoming certified lifeguards.
Safety Around Water (SAW)
This program teaches children the skills on how to be safe in and around water. We partner with area schools to provide opportunities for all Walworth County second graders to participate in this program FREE thanks to a generous grant by Kikkoman Foods. To learn more or to register during the school year, please email [email protected].
CPR/AED Training
Learn to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergency situations and how to respond to breathing and cardiac issues to help victims of any age. Both Blended Learning CPR and CPR Review class contain the same five hours of training which entails two hours of online and three hours of in class instruction. At the end of the online portion, you must print the certification to show you passed and bring it to class to complete the requirements. Certificate valid for 2 years. *For Review class you must be currently certified, not expired as of class date.
CPR/AED Training
Lifeguard Certification
For ages 15+, the Lifeguard Certification course is designed to certify you as a Red Cross Lifeguard in: CPR, First Aid and AED administration. Course includes an in-class pre-test, lecture with video and practical skills both in water and on land.
Workplace CPR Training
Do you have a group that needs Adult & Pediatric CPR/First Aid and AED training? We will come to you! We are excited to offer you an American Red Cross CPR Blended Learning training session, which combines online learning with an in-person skills session (3 hours in person and 2 hours online). Whether you are a business, church or school district, we want to help get your staff trained to respond to medical emergencies! If your company is interested in selecting a training option, please complete the information below.
Swim Team
Our Lake Geneva YMCA Ducks Swim Team is a top-ranked, year-round, USA Swimming & YMCA competitive Swim Club in Lake Geneva, WI. Our professional coaches provide expert technique instruction in a positive environment for beginning to national-level competitors from all over southeast Wisconsin & northern Illinois.
Private Swim Team Coaching
For additional instruction and/or to prepare for swim team or refining skills, strokes, turns and starts private coaching for the swim team is available. These sessions will be customized to your goals with a certified Ducks Swim Coach. We will utilize above and underwater video to help make modifications. To learn more about this opportunity please contact our Director of Competitive Swimming, Michelle Upchurch at 262.248.6211 x23 or email [email protected].
Team Evaluations: Wednesday, April 16 | 5-6 pm
Long Course Season: Tuesday, April 22 - Monday, August 4
Registration Opens: Monday, April 7
Special Aqua Events
Timber Ridge Waterpark | Feb 16, March 9, April 27, May 25, June 22
Once a month on a Sunday, the Y partners with Timber Ridge Waterpark to offer reduced pricing to the waterpark from 12 noon-8 pm. To reserve your spot, you must come to the YMCA and pay with cash. The price is $15/per swimmer (12 months of age and older) and $5/per spectator. Your name is placed on a list that is provided to Timber Ridge Waterpark for event date. This discounted rate, through the YMCA, is available until the Thursday before the event date or until spots run out. Reservations begin for the next scheduled date on the following Monday. This offer is available for both members and community.
Annual Sprint & Splash 5K for Spring | Saturday April 26, 2025
Save the date for this annual event. New this year will be an added 5K Swim. Watch for details!
WIBIT Fun | Come Swim! Bounce! Play! | Saturday, May 3, 2025
Aquatic FAQs
What are your age policies for the youth and adult locker rooms?
Individuals under 16 years of age MUST use the girls and boys locker rooms. An additional changing area is also available on the pool deck. This can be accessed by walking through the locker room or asking the Front Desk to open the main pool door located in the lobby.
What are your guidelines surrounding children in the pool?
We love children and they are welcome to use our Lap Pool and Activity Pool! However, independent access to these areas will vary based on the child's age and swimming ability.
No matter swim level, all children under the age of 10 must be supervised by an adult age 18+ at all times during Open Swim.
If a child CAN swim, they are allowed to use our pools. A child that "can swim" is based on their ability to pass our YMCA Lap Pool swim test. This swim test consists of swimming 25 yards, treading water for 30-60 seconds in deep end of pool and swimming back 25 yards without stopping or using the wall for assistance. Please note that your child may be asked to perform this test given by one of our trained lifeguards, before allowing them to swim independently. Their safety is our number one priority!
If a child CANNOT swim, then a parent or guardian (18 years or older) must stay within arms reach at all times in the Activity Pool only.
What swim lesson level do I register my child for?
Please reference our Swim Lesson Selector flowchart below. By answering the questions based on your child's skill level, the appropriate swim lesson level for registration will be identified.
Help! I have more aquatic questions. Who do I contact?
Please contact our Aquatics Director at [email protected] or call 262.248.6211.