Aquatics
Jump into swim lessons, family fun, water aerobics, and warm water therapy—programs for all ages and abilities in a safe, supportive space. Join us in the water!
Swimming
Jump into fun and safety with our comprehensive swimming programs for all ages and skill levels.
Aquatic Activities
Join us for open swim, lap swim, or special pool events, perfect for family fun and fitness.
Water Aerobics
Stay active with YMCA water aerobics! Low-impact classes that build strength, flexibility, and fitness for all.
Warm Water Therapy
Warm water therapy eases joint pain and improves mobility, offering gentle support in a heated pool.
The YMCA of Southwest Washington of Longview Washington is dedicated to put the principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all individuals and families in our communities. We welcome men and women, boys and girls of all incomes, faiths and cultures.
Lap Swim Hours
Monday – Friday 5:00am – 8:00am
Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Monday – Friday 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Saturday 7:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday 11:00am – 1:00pm
Water Aerobics
Water Fitness Low Intensity:
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 10:00am
Water Fitness Medium Intensity: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00am
Monday – Friday 10:00am – 11:00am
Tuesday & Thursday 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Water Fitness High Intensity:
Monday – Friday 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Arthritis or Limited Mobility Range of Motion:
Monday – Friday 11:00am – 12:00pm – Main Pool
Monday Wednesday Friday 2:30pm – 3:30pm – Activity Pool
Rehab Swim / Adult Open Swim – Activity Pool
Monday & Wednesday 11:00am – 12:30pm Friday 11:00am – 12:00pm
Swim Lessons
YMCA Swim Lessons have changed to help students gain more confidence in the water.
NEW, IMPROVED SWIM LESSONS
- Small instructor-to-student ratios
- Classes feature more time in the water and time for instruction
- Parent/Child classes feature a skill-based model for introductory to advanced levels
- Achievement Log tracks a student’s progress as swimming skills are mastered
GROUP SWIM LESSONS
For preschool and youth swimming, instructors assess skills on the first day and group students based on their abilities.
PRESCHOOL SWIMMING (AGES 3–5)
- Children will begin learning how to swim with their face underwater, how to jump in the pool and how to retrieve toys from the bottom of the pool
- Class emphasizes skills of position, arm movements, kicking, floating and breathing
YOUTH SWIMMING (AGES 6–12)
Kids will learn six strokes: freestyle, elementary backstroke, backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
PARENT/CHILD SWIM INTRODUCTORY CLASS (PARENTS AND CHILDREN AGES 6-36 MONTHS)
Introduces water safety, comfort in the water, water entry and exit techniques, breath control, swimming on the front and back, and basic swimming skills
PARENT/CHILD ADVANCED CLASS
For children who have successfully mastered the introductory class and have instructor approval. As a prerequisite, children are required to be able to hold their breath underwater and move through the water independently.
- Parent/child team will work on advanced skills including endurance and underwater swimming
- Class focuses on the skills of jumping in, surfacing, back floating, swimming to the side and exiting the pool
ADULT SWIM LESSONS
- Lessons are geared toward the adult student’s level of comfort and ability
- Available for first-time swimmers and those who want to tune up their skills
Open Swim
Open for all ages. Children under 52 inches in height must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times. Adults need to stay within arms reach of children under 52 inches even if the children are wearing life jackets. For safety we recommend a ratio of 2 non swimmers per one adult. Children 9-13 do not need an adult if they can pass a swim test. See program brochure on home page or under schedule tab for times and days.
Family Swim
These are recreational swims for families, so all children must be with a parent in the water. Only USCG approved lifejackets are allowed, no inflatables. See program brochure on home page or under schedule tab for times and days.
Adult Open
The main pool and activity pool are open for adult exercise and therapy. See program brochure on home page or schedule tab for times and days.
Lap Swim
There is always at least one lane available for lap swim in the main pool.
Entry
Always use a feet-first entry. If there is another person already in the lane, make sure they see you before you start swimming. The best way is to sit down with your feet and legs in the water so they can see you.
Sharing
If you are the first one in a lane, swim one side to make it easier for a second swimmer to join you. Please don’t take up a whole lane.
Circle swimming
If there are more than two people in a lane, you will need to circle swim. Stay to the right, creating a counter-clockwise circle. Try to circle swim with others of similar speed. You may ask the lifeguard for assistance.
Passing during circle swimming
If you need to pass another swimmer while circle swimming, touch the person in front of you on the foot. This will tell that swimmer to pause at the wall at the next turn and let you pass.
Non-swimmers
People should not be walking, jogging or doing stationary exercises in the lanes. If they are, you may ask the lifeguard to direct them to the other part of the pool. Walkers may use the first lane, the lane with the blue stairs, to walk if there are no lap swimmers in that lane. Noodles and barbells are not appropriate for lanes.
Age requirement
Lap swimmers must be at least 14 years of age and be able to swim continuous lengths of the pool. Swimmers who are younger, but are able to swim continuous lengths of the pool may swim with a parent or with advance permission from the Aquatics Director or lifeguard on duty.
Lap Swim Hours
Monday – Friday 5:00am – 8:00am
Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Monday – Friday 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Saturday 8:00am – 9:00am, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday 11:00am – 12:00pm and 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Swim Lessons
All lessons are 30 minutes long. Please make sure you shower your child before entering the pool. All spectators that are not members must bring ID, or show their program card. All Spectators must remove their shoes before walking on the pool deck. All swimmers must wear a swim suit or clothing made of polyester, nylon, lycra or spandex. Denim and cotton clog up our filters.
Private Lessons
Four 30 minute Lessons -Refer to current brochure for cost.
For anyone looking for one-on-one instruction. The lessons will be catered to the interests of the participant. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Adult Swim Lessons
Call if interested. 360-423-4770
Pool Reservations / Birthday Parties
Party Times
1 hour of pool time for up to 25 swimmers. 1 hour for party rooms up to 35 participants.
Pool Parties are available on:
For Times and Cost refer to current brochure on front page of website or call front desk at 360-423-4770.
Contact the Front Desk at the Y 14 days in advance of requested party date. They will check the availability for your room time preference. Payment must be made in full and turned in with registration form for the party to be booked.
Chairs, tables, private swimming reservation, lifeguards, and host to help with your party. We also have a refrigerator and freezer that can be used with limited space check with YMCA staff for usage. You can bring food, drinks, cake, and decorations. Tablecloths are recommended. Guests are responsible for removing gifts and personal items before the scheduled party time is over.
At the YMCA all children under 52″ inches in height, or under 9 years old must swim with an adult in the pool with them. All swimmers must wear a swimsuit and take shower prior to pool entry. Cotton and Denim are not allowed. Horseplay will not be tolerated. You must follow directions of the lifeguard at all times.
Since several parties are booked in a single day, the earliest you may enter the party room to set up is 10 minutes prior to your party’s start time if there is a party scheduled before yours.
Water Aerobics
Adults looking to challenge themselves without stress on their joints or members who just enjoy the water can take advantage of our different water exercise classes. Instructors lead small groups through water aerobics, core strengthening and much more. Gain muscle conditioning and cardiovascular endurance from the aerobic choreography and the resistance of the water. Ideal for all fitness levels, non-swimmers included. Programs are free to facility members, unless otherwise noted.
Water Fitness
Exercise in organized classes of low, medium or high intensity. Water adds resistance and cushions impact to knees, hips and backs. Participants may enter the water 5 minutes before the program is scheduled to start, please stay out of the way of any on-going classes. If lap swim is directly before the program, the lane lines will be moved 5 minutes before the class. Children 11 years and older may participate in classes with a parent.
Water Aerobics
Water Fitness Low Intensity:
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 10:00am
Water Fitness Medium Intensity: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00am
Monday – Friday 10:00am – 11:00am
Tuesday & Thursday 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Water Fitness High Intensity:
Monday – Friday 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Arthritis or Limited Mobility Range of Motion:
Monday – Friday 11:00am – 12:00pm – Main Pool
Monday Wednesday Friday 2:30pm – 3:30pm – Activity Pool
Rehab Swim / Adult Open Swim – Activity Pool
Monday & Wednesday 11:00am – 12:30pm Friday 11:00am – 12:00pm
Latin Splash
Thursday 6:00pm
Splash your way into shape with a new invigorating low impact aquatic exercise.
Known as the Zumba® “pool party, ” the Aqua Zumba® program gives new meaning to the idea of a refreshing workout. Integrating the Zumba® philosophy with traditional aquatic fitness disciplines, Aqua Zumba® blends it all together into workout that’s cardio-conditioning, body-toning, and most of all, exhilarating beyond belief.
For more information, contact Hayley in the Aquatics Department.
Water Fitness
Low, Medium, High Intensity
Exercise in these organized classes of low, medium and high intensity. The water adds resistance and cushions impact to knees, hips and backs. Participants need to wait until 5 minutes before program start to enter pool. Children 11 and older may participate when accompanied by an adult.
Arthritis/or Limited Mobility/Range of Motion
This program is for people with arthritis or limited mobility or range of motion. The class emphasizes good body mechanics 11 am Monday thru Friday in Main Pool and 2:30pm Mon/Wed/Fri in Activity Pool.
Warm Water Therapy
The warm water pool is open during scheduled programs in the Activity Pool. If no lessons are scheduled, The Warm Water Pool will not be open.
Water Aerobics
Monday-Thursday
8am-12:30 pm
4-6:15pm (lessons)
6:30-8:30 pm
Mon/Wed/Fri
2:30-3:30 pm
Friday
11am-12 noon
2:30-3:30pm
6:30-8:30pm
Saturday
1-4:30pm
Sunday
1-5:30pm
Rehab Swim / Adult Open Swim – Activity Pool
An open time for adults. See program brochure on home page for days and times.
Multi-Use Open Swim – Activity Pool
Adult exercise, therapy, and some swim lessons. See program brochure on home page for days and times.