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Swim Lessons

We offer swim lessons for all ages at our Withnell and Silver Falls branches, with a variety of group and private lesson options available to meet your water safety needs. Swim lesson registrations are available on a rolling basis at the Silver Falls branch, with lessons for the Withnell branch opening at midnight on the 15th of each month. 

 

Register for Lessons at the Withnell Family YMCA

Register for Lessons at the Silver Falls Family YMCA

 

Swim Teams

Swim Teams operate from our Withnell and Silver Falls branches year-round, with varying options depending on your swimmer's age and experience.

Salem Swim Club's team for ages 5-12 practices at the Withnell Family YMCA in Salem. This is a year-round club team with tryouts available every week.

Learn more about Salem Swim Club

Silver Falls

SF Swim Team 2025

Interested in joining your local swim team? Schedule a tryout today!

Silver Falls Rapids Swim Club is a year-round competitive team that practices at the Silver Falls YMCA in Silverton, Oregon. We are a USA Swimming certified swim club. Our team welcomes a wide range of ability levels ages 5-18 years old. 

Tryouts are held every first Monday of the month. Contact coach Megan for more information, mcolgan@theyonline.org. 

Our club operates 11 months out of the year. 

Year-round season September-May 

Summer League June & July. 

Break the month of August 

 

Email Megan Colgan for more information about the Silver Falls Swim Team Program. 

 

SF Summer Swim Team 25

Lifeguard Certifications

Lifeguard training is a requirement for working around pools, lakes, or beaches. To register, please call the Silver Falls pool at 503.873.6456 or email Annika at arogers@theyonline.org or Cindy at cmorrison@theyonline.org

Participant Requirements

1. Be 15 years of age or older by the last day of class.
2. Be registered for the online portion of training before the first day of class
3. Pass the pre-course swimming skills test on the first day of class, including:

  • Swim 150 yards continuously using front crawl or breaststroke or a combination of both

THEN

tread water for 2 minutes without support and without stopping, using only legs. Head must remain above the surface of the water

THEN

swim a distance of 50 yards.

  • Swim a distance of 20 yards, surface dive into 9 feet of water, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping face at or near the surface, and exit without using a ladder within 1 minute and 40 seconds.

4. Attend 100% of class sessions. No make-ups are offered.
5. Pass the written exam with a score of 80% or higher.

Certifications Include:

  • Red Cross Lifeguard (valid for 2 years)

  • CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED (valid for 2 years)

  • First Aid (valid for 2 years)

Lifeguard Recertification

In order to remain certified, you must renew your certification within two years of your initial date of certification. For lifeguards in their second year wishing to recertify, please contact the Silver Falls pool at 503.873.6456 or email Annika at arogers@theyonline.org or Cindy at cmorrison@theyonline.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Find Pool Schedules HERE

 

more info on lessons
When are registrations open?

Sign up for swim lessons in Salem on the website on the 15th of every month starting at 12:01 AM

Swim lesson registrations are available on a rolling basis at the Silver Falls branch

Which class should I enroll my child in?

Please select the lesson that best aligns with your swimmer's prior experience and skill level. 

 

  • Parent Tot: 6 months - 3 years, Parent Tot Classes are on Saturdays 8:30AM, 9:00AM & 9:30AM  These are 30 minute classes. Class is designed to help develop swimming readiness and water safety for both parents and their children together.
  • Stage 1: We have classes for both 3-5 year old's and 6-14year old's (separate) – Acclamation to water blowing bubbles; Assisted front and back floats & kicking & finning. 
  • Stage 2: We have classes for both 3-5 year old's and 6-14 year old's (separate) – Blowing bubbles and rhythmic breathing; complete submersion of head in water. Independent front and back float front and back glide with kick Arm Action alternating, Roll front to back and back to front unassisted.
  • Stage 3 for 3-5 year old's: Teaching learners to swim 5-10 yds independently alternating front and back stroke with rhythmic breathing & elementary back.
  • Stage 3 for 6-14 year old's: This level is for swimmers who have passed all the criteria for Stage 2. The swimmers will work on refining the freestyle and backstroke and learning "swim float swim" safety pattern. They will also learn elementary backstroke and breaststroke, and sit dive & kneeling dives.
  • Stage 4: This level is for swimmers who can independently swim 15 yards without stopping with rhythmic breathing. They are proficient in the freestyle and backstroke; breaststroke has been introduced and they will be introduced to butterfly, all four turns and taught to refine their standing dive.
  • Stage 5/6: Your swimmer will work on refining all four competitive strokes they will also work on endurance flip turns. 
When will my child progress to the next level?

Given that all children learn and develop comfort around water at a unique pace, our team of instructors will communicate with you to let you know if your swimmer has developed the appropriate skills to move onto the next level. It is common for children to repeat several levels in order to confidently develop the required skills. 

How long are swim lessons?

All lessons are 30 minutes long.

What is the instructor to student ratio?

Most classes will have 5 students to 1 instructor.

What are Parent Tot Lessons?

Parent Tot Lessons are for children ages 6 months- 3 years old, who are accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian. These lessons are intended to provide the child with the opportunity to build comfort and confidence in the water before moving into further swim lessons. Please come dressed in swim attire; children that are not potty trained will need to wear a swim diaper under their swimsuit. Lessons are 30-minutes long.