CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH YOUR FAMILY

FREE FAMILY SWIM every Wednesday
Membership NOT required, but one adult per family must remain in pool area.

 

SUMMER HOURS START ON JUNE 10
and will be effect through August 1st
Monday - Friday from 3:00 - 8:45 p.m.

For additional information please contact  762-YMCA(9622)
The Aquatics Department strives to provide every patron with an excellent aquatic experience. Our aquatics program emphasizes the National YMCA's four core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring along with personal safety, growth and development.

In the aquatics programs, safety and fun are the foundation of our success. The aquatics staff extends a welcome to you and is happy to help you in any way possible.
Facility - All aquatic programs take place at the Portage High School West pool. This indoor pool has 6 lanes (45 ft.) and is 25 yards (75 ft.) long. The water temperature is typically kept between 79 F and 84 F while the air temperature is variable. The pool is handicapped friendly with easy access stairs for those in need. Locker rooms and showers are available. Swimmers need to provide their own locks.
Staff - The YMCA aquatics staff are hard-working and caring individuals who strive to ensure each patron has a fun and safe experience at the pool. Each staff member is certified in life guarding, first-aid, CPR, universal precautions and AED. Instructors have had special training in swim lesson techniques which enable children to learn quickly, more efficiently and become strong swimmers.

Open Swim

This is a great way for families and friends to enjoy our pool! This is unstructured swim time for members and guests to play, exercise, or practice swimming skills. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own water toys (no snorkels or rafts) and spend time getting to know and enjoy our safe aquatic environment. Children under the age of ten must have adult supervision on the deck while children age six and under must have direct adult supervision and contact in the water. 
Free to Portage YMCA members, $2 for others or $5 per family.

FREE FAMILY SWIM the 1st Wednesday of every month.

Lap Swim

Join a growing number of swimmers who use lap swimming as a form of non-impact aerobic and endurance building exercise. Lap swim will be available during all hours of YMCA pool operation. Lane availability will be determined by usage. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool.
Free to Portage YMCA members, $2 for others.

Aquasize

This complete aerobic exercise class is done to music using equipment to tone and sculpt the body. Aquasize is a non-impact exercise that improves strength, flexibility and endurance. Participants of all ages, swimmers and non-swimmers alike, can take part in this type of exercise. 
Free for Primary Plus members, $2 per class for Primary members, $3 per class for others.
Adult Swim Lessons

Adult swim lessons are scheduled upon request. Skill level may range from terrified of water, where instructors work with students to help them overcome their fears and begin to develop basic swimming skills, to beginners for adults who don't feel at ease in the water or have never participated in swim lessons, to intermediate or advanced swimmers who are comfortable in the water and who would like to work on stroke development and endurance. Scheduling is flexible! Please contact Sarah Wilkins, Aquatics Coordinator at 762-YMCA(9622) for information or to schedule lessons.

COST OF FOUR LESSONS 
$ 16.80 for Primary Plus; $24 for Primary; $48 for others.

LOCKER ROOM HOURS - 15 minutes before and after pool hours
Adult Swim Lessons are scheduled by calling 762-YMCA

 

THE YMCA: America's favorite swimming instructor for over one hundred years.

PROGRESSIVE SWIM LESSONS

Our swim lessons use a progressive teaching method that enables participants to develop life-long skills that can help them stay healthy, and also gain a sense of accomplishment. Our progressive approach and low student to instructor ratio allows each child to proceed at their own page. Each class is 30 minutes in length with play time at the end of each lesson. 

Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. 
Sessions and starting times are given below.
Classes are 30 minutes -  makeups may be done on Friday if an emergency or illness makes regularly scheduled class impossible. (Limit of one makeup per session per student.)
A YMCA membership is required. 
REGISTRATION FOR THE NEXT MONTH OF SWIM LESSONS OPENS ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

Shrimp (Parent/Child Class)
This is an introduction to the aquatic environment for parents and their children ages 6 months to 36 months. Children learn basic swimming skills through song, games, and play. 
Monthly Fee: $ 21 Primary Plus: $30 for Primary
Pike (Preschool Class)
This level is designed for new swimmers, ages three and four, to develop comfort, independence and safety in the water. The basic building blocks of swimming are taught through blowing bubbles, kicking, and basic progressions of front and back crawl. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Polliwog (Beginners Class)
This is the beginning level for school-age children. At this level, students learn the front and back crawl progressions, glides, and begin to tread water. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Guppy (Advanced Beginners Class)
Children in this level continue to develop their front and back crawl strokes. Elementary backstroke and diving are introduced. At the end of this level, children can swim the length of the pool without assistance. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Minnow (Intermediate)
At this point, students refine the crawl strokes and elementary backstroke while increasing their endurance. They are introduced to sidestroke, breast stroke, butterfly stroke and flip turns. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Fish (Advanced Intermediate)
Increase stamina in floating and treading; further refine front and back crawl; elementary backstroke; butterfly; sidestroke; underwater swimming; more synchronized skills; basic first aid. 
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
Flying Fish (Advanced)
Extended floating and treading with eggbeater kick; elementary backstroke with a glide, lifesaving stroke; butterfly; breaststroke with open turns; reinforce fitness habits; extension assists, and shallow water underwater search.   
Monthly Fee: $ 24.50 Primary Plus: $35 for Primary
 

OPEN SWIM

at

PHSW
POOL

 

 — POOL HOURS through NOW through JUNE 4th—

LOCKER ROOM HOURS — 15 minutes before and after pool hours
CLOSED on Saturdays, Sundays,
Adult Swim Lessons  are scheduled by calling the 762-YMCA.

Mon. - Fri. ----- 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

FREE Family Swim Every Wednesday
(one adult per family required to stay in pool area)

 

JUNE & JULY — POOL HOURS  effective June 10

LOCKER ROOM HOURS — 15 minutes before and after pool hours

CLOSED on Saturdays, Sundays, and on July 4.  Closed August 4 - September 1

Adult Swim Lessons and Pool Parties are scheduled by calling the 762-YMCA.

FREE Family Swim Every Wednesday
(one adult per family required to stay in pool area)

SUMMER HOURS

Effective June 9th - August 1st

Monday

Tuesday

 Wednesday Thursday Friday

OPEN SWIM

 3:00 - 8:45 3:00 - 8:45 3:00 - 8:45 3:00 - 8:45 3:00 - 8:45

LAP SWIM

 12:00 - 1:00
3:00 - 8:45

12:00 - 1:00
3:00 - 8:45

12:00 - 1:00
3:00 - 8:45

12:00 - 1:00
3:00 - 8:45

12:00 - 1:00
3:00 - 8:45

AQUASIZE

 12:00 - 1:00 6:00 - 7:00 12:00 - 1:00 6:00 -7:00 12:00 - 1:00

z POOL CLOSED IN AUGUST - POOL REOPENS on SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2008 z

SWIM LESSONS: Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. Starting times are given, classes are 30 minutes, makeups may be done on Fridays in case an emergency or illness makes regularly scheduled class impossible. (limit of one makeup per session per student)

NOTE: Registration for the next month of swim lessons opens on the third Monday of each month.

SWIM LESSON SESSIONS:

SESSION I — June 2nd - 27th SESSION II — July 7th - August 1st

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

• Shrimp

6:00

  

6:00

  

makeups

• Pike

4:00
4:30
6:00
7:00

4:00
5:30
 

4:00
4:30
6:00
7:00

4:00
5:30
 

makeups

• Polliwog

5:00
5:30
7:30

4:30
5:00
7:30

5:00
5:30
7:30

4:30
5:00
7:30

makeups

• Guppy

6:30

4:00
7:00

6:30

4:00
7:00

makeups

• Minnow

7:30

4:30

7:30

4:30

makeups

• Fish

6:30

5:00

6:30

5:00

makeups

• Flying Fish

8:00

8:00

8:00

8:00

makeups

POOL CLOSED IN AUGUST

POOL REOPENS on SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2008

 FALL POOL HOURS

LOCKER ROOM HOURS — 15 minutes before and after pool hours
CLOSED on Saturdays and Sundays, October 30 & 31, November 27 & 28, December 22 - January 2
Adult Swim Lessons are scheduled by calling the 762-YMCA

FREE Family Swim every Wednesday of every month
(one adult per family required to stay in pool area)

September 2 - October 29

Mon. - Fri. ----- 4:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
  MON TUE WED THU FRI
Open swim 5:00 - 8:45 5:00 - 8:45 5:00 - 8:45 5:00 - 8:45 5:00 - 8:45
Lap swim (one lane reserved) 4:00 - 8:45 4:00 - 8:45 4:00 - 8:45 4:00 - 8:45 4:00 - 8:45
Aquasize 4:00 - 5:00 6:00 - 7:00 4:00 - 5:00 6:00 - 7:00  

November 3 - December 19

Mon. - Fri. ----- 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
  MON TUE WED THU FRI
Open swim 6:00 - 8:45 7:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 7:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45
Lap swim (one lane reserved) 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45 6:00 - 8:45
Aquasize   6:00 - 7:00   6:00 - 7:00  

Fall Swim Lesson Schedule is located in the Aquatics Program Trifold

 

Portage Township YMCA’s Aquatics Department
Hosted an "Underwater Treasure Hunt"

Many have participated in an Easter Egg Hunt - far less have participated in an underwater egg hunt for treasures.  On Friday, April 20th the Aquatics Department at the Portage Township YMCA  hosted an "Underwater Treasure Hunt" at Portage High School West Pool and the event was sponsored by Scuba Tank in Valparaiso (www.scubatank.com).

The event featured an opportunity for participants to gather eggs from the pool that were redeemable for special "treasures". There was also  a chance to make your own Pirate hat.

This event was so much fun - it is sure to be repeated!!!  Watch for it and join in on the FUN!

 

PRESS RELEASE - - -

                       Portage Township YMCA Offers FREE Family Swim Nights

Spring swim hours are in effect at Portage High School West pool and the pool opens for Y programs at 4:00 p.m.  The first Wednesday of each month  the Y holds Free Family Swims. Membership is not required. This is unstructured swim time for families to play, exercise, or practice swimming skills. Swimmers are encouraged to bring their own water toys (no snorkels or rafts) and spend time getting to know and enjoy our safe aquatic environment. Children under the age of ten must have adult supervision on the deck while children age six and under must have direct adult supervision and contact in the water. Current pool hours are from 4:00 - 8:45 p.m. (MTWThF).

The pool has 6 lanes and is 25 yards long. The water temperature is typically kept between 79 F and 84 F while the air temperature is variable. The pool is handicapped friendly with easy access stairs for those in need. Locker rooms and showers are available for 15 minutes before and after pool hours. Swimmers need to provide their own locks.

The Family Swims are guarded by the YMCA aquatics staff who are certified in life guarding, first-aid, CPR, universal precautions and AED.

 

AQUATICS FACTS
  • The Aquatics program teaches approximately thirty children a month how to swim.
  • Thanks to a donation from Porter the Portage High School west pool is handicapped accessible.
  • Many people use the YMCA’s time at the pool for rehabilitation purposes.
  • Many people enjoy and benefit from lap swimming during the YMCA pool times.
  • Aquasize helps participants benefit from both the support resistance of the water.