August 3, 2017by Missy

Pool Schedule

Whether you’re interested in an open swim for your family, swim lessons, or lap swim, the Mahaska County YMCA offers times for all of your learning and leisure pool needs and wants.

Schedules are subject to change so contact the Y, 641.673.8411 with any questions.

Click here for the Group Exercise Schedule.

Click here for the Gymnasium Schedule



June 19, 2017by Missy

WATER AEROBICS

Water Aerobics: This class offers a great aerobic workout while taking the strain off joints in the water. Participants will go through stretching, cardiovascular exercises, and strength training exercises. Each participant will have their own set of water weights to use during the strength training portion. No swimming experience is necessary. Deep Water Aerobics: For a new twist on the classic water aerobics class, try deep water on for size. While focusing on a complete workout with stretching, cardio, core, and strengthening exercises, deep water aerobics is sure to hit the spot for aqua fanatics.
All classes are included in the price of membership.



Open/Lap Swim:

During any Mahaska County YMCA Open Swim time, families can come splash and play, swim enthusiasts can do laps, and those learning to swim can get extra practice on their own time. Special lap swimming tips and instructions are listed with the YMCA Pool Schedule. Open and Lap Swim are included in the basic membership package.




June 19, 2017by Missy

SWIM LESSONS


REGISTER NOW

Group Lessons:

  • Group swim lessons are available for youth ages 4 to 18. Lessons run two times a week for 4 weeks (for a total of 8 classes).
    •  6:15-7:00 pm, 7:00-7:45 pm
      • September 5-28
      • October 3-26
      • November 7-30


Private and Semi-Private Lessons:

Private and semi-private lessons and are for kids 4 and older, as well as adults of any age! Private lessons are one-on-one instruction, and semi-private lesson are for small groups of two or three. Participants must sign up together in duos or trios for semi-private lessons.

Private and semi-private swim lessons come in a package of 6 30-minute lessons, and can be scheduled anytime an instructor and the pool is available. Registration is on a rolling basis and frequency of lessons is up to you!



Water Babies and Water Tots:

Swim lessons for kids 6 months-3 years old are coming soon!



June 16, 2017by Missy

DOLPHINS SWIM TEAM


ymca dolphins logo The YMCA strives to build character in all who participate in YMCA programming. The character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility are part of every program the YMCA offers. The Dolphins Swim Team seeks to encourage and motivate each swim team member to develop his or her individual skills which enhances self-esteem.

In accordance with Y-USA sanction rules, Dolphins team members are required to be YMCA members. In order to compete in swim team meets, the swimmer must be a member in good standing for 30 days prior to the meet. The age of the swimmer on December 1 determines which age group the swimmer will be assigned.

Want to try it out? Check out the team and join us for a free swim team practice on Wednesday September 7th, 2022 from 6-7pm!


REGISTER NOW

2023 DOLPHIN PROGRAMS




June 16, 2017by Missy

SWIMMING PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES

“A-QUAT-IC [uh-KWAT-ik]: of, in, or pertaining to water; taking place or practiced in or on the water.” Whatever your definition, aquatics at the Mahaska County YMCA means more than just a pool. It’s a place to learn a life-saving skill which is also important to a healthy lifestyle; it’s a place where infants are introduced to the water and young swimmers learn endurance; it’s lessons, aerobics, laps, and team events. Learn more by clicking on the links below or call the Y for more information.

Swim Lessons:

  • Swim lessons are available for youth and adults in group, semi-private, and private sessions which are available at select times year round.
  • Evening Group Lessons meet twice a week for four weeks.
    Cost: $40/member (8 lessons = $5 per lesson) and $60/non-member (8 lessons = $7.50 per lesson)
  • Semi-private lessons are for groups of 2-3, children or adults, who are more comfortable in smaller settings.
    Cost: $60/member ($7.50 per lesson) and $100/non-member ($12.50 per lesson)
  • For private lessons, the Y places swimmers with qualified instructors who work with individuals schedules.
    Cost: $100/member ($12.50 per lesson) and $140/non-member ($17.50 per lesson)

Click Here for Group Lessons

Click Here for Private and Semi Private Lessons


Water Tots:

These classes are to encourage 3 and 4 year olds to become comfortable and confident in the pool. This class requires an adult to be in the pool with each child for the lessons. These classes will be held on Saturdays 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Click here for details.


Waterbabies:

These classes are designed to encourage children to experience, explore, and test the aquatic environment by responding with body movements and emotions with the assistance and encouragement of their parents. The classes are held Saturdays 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Waterbabies is designed for children 9 months to 2 years of age. Note: Adult must attend and be in the pool with baby and swim diapers are required.
Click here for details.



Open/Lap Swim:

During any Mahaska County YMCA Open Swim time, families can come splash and play, swim enthusiasts can do laps, and those learning to swim can get extra practice on their own time. Special lap swimming tips and instructions are listed with the YMCA Pool Schedule. Open and Lap Swim are included in the basic membership package.


Water Aerobics/Deep Water Aerobics:

Water Aerobics: This class offers a great aerobic workout while taking the strain off joints in the water. Participants will go through stretching, cardiovascular exercises, and strength training exercises. Each participant will have their own set of water weights to use during the strength training portion. No swimming experience is necessary. Deep Water Aerobics: For a new twist on the classic water aerobics class, try deep water on for size. While focusing on a complete workout with stretching, cardio, core, and strengthening exercises, deep water aerobics is sure to hit the spot for aqua fanatics.
All fitness classes are included in the price of membership.



Stroke Clinic:

Stroke clinics offered in the fall for children who are interested in joining the swim team. The clinic is designed to teach proper competitive stroke technique in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. This four-week program helps swimmers develop and maintain their muscular endurance while focusing on improved skills and swim times.
Cost: $40/member and $80/non-member.


Dolphins YMCA Swim Team:

Being part of the YMCA Swim Team is a fun and rewarding experience. Practice times vary and swim team members participate for nearly six months out of the year. More information can be found here.



June 16, 2017by Missy

POOL POLICIES


LAP SWIM

During lap swim, please keep safety in mind. Lap swimmers, please don’t ignore proper lap swim protocol:


  • Lap Swimming Tips: Please enter the pool from the shallow end. To avoid accidents, when entering an occupied lane, please get the first swimmer’s acknowledgement that you are there. Please get kickboards, pull buoys, etc., before entering the pool.
  • Directions: If there are two swimmers in the lane, they must split the lane in half. The entrance of a third person immediately changes the lane to “circle” swimming format.

SWIM TEST


Children are the victims in nearly half of all drownings in the US each year according to the Center for Disease Control. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths for children 12 and under with nearly half of those children drowning in guarded pools. In additional, five times as many children are victims of near-drowning incidents each year.

The Mahaska County YMCA is committed to implementing proven prevention efforts to ensure that children who swim in our pool are safe. To end that, according to industry standards, children ages 12 and under will be tested to evaluate swimming competency.

For aquatic patrons ages 12 and under:

To pass the swim test, a child must confidently demonstrate to a lifeguard the following skills (in this order):
• Swim one length of the pool on their front without touching the bottom or sides of the pool or lane lines
• Take 10 or less second of rest
• Tread for 1 minute with ears and chin out of the water

Swimmers who pass, will receive a GREEN wristband and gain full access to the pool and does not need a flotation device.

Swimmers that do not pass or do not wish to take the test, will be assessed based on height. If a child who does not pass can stand in the deepest part of the shallow end with their armpits out of the water, they will receive will receive a RED wristband and will be required to stay in the shallow end, and does not need a flotation device. If the child cannot stand in the shallow end with their armpits out of the water, they will receive a YELLOW wristband AND and flotation device, and will gain full access to the pool.

Babies and toddlers are exempt from swim testing or needing a flotation device if they are held in the arms of an adult the entire time they are in the pool.

This policy will be strictly adhered to at all times and does not substitute the need for the direct and active supervision of a parent/guardian of at least 18 years of age.

The results from a swim test are valid for the remainder of the calendar year. If a child with a red or yellow wristband would like to try again for a green wristband, they can retest once a week.

All Personal flotation devices must be coast guard approved. Patrons who require a PFD will be provided one.


SEVERE WEATHER RULES

At the Mahaska County YMCA swimming is serious fun, and so is safety. That’s why we would like to remind you of our indoor pool severe weather policy.

The indoor pool will remain open at the discretion of the management staff during thunderstorms. We reserve the right to close the pool if severe weather is in the direct vicinity and poses a significant threat. Indoor pools will close immediately when a tornado warning has been issued in the area. All members and staff will receive instruction for the safest location inside the facility while the area is under a tornado warning. Once the warning has been lifted, all swimming pools will re-open.

The YMCA of the USA and the National Lightning and Safety Institute recommend that indoor pools should be cleared during a lightning and thunderstorm. We follow the 30-minute rule. This means that all YMCA pools (indoor and outdoor) close for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder and/or strike of lightning within a 2 mile radius of the area.

“A lot of members want to know why we close our indoor pools during a storm,” says George Allen, YMCA of the Triangle Vice President of Risk Management. “Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Just because a pool is surrounded by a structure does not make it safe during a storm.”

LIGHTNING FACTS

  • Lightning kills more people in the U.S. than hurricanes and tornados combined.
  • The average storm is 6-10 miles wide and moves at 25 MPH.
  • 13 percent of all lightning incidents involve swimming, boating, and fishing.
  • Thunder is usually heard up to 12 miles from a lightning strike. In other words, if you can hear thunder, you’re in danger of lightning.
  • Lightning strikes can reach up to 10 miles.

That’s why we follow the National Weather Service motto: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.



June 13, 2017by Missy

AQUATICS


“A-QUAT-IC [uh-KWAT-ik]: of, in, or pertaining to water; taking place or practiced in or on the water.” Whatever your definition, aquatics at the Mahaska County YMCA means more than just a pool. It’s a place to learn a life-saving skill which is also important to a healthy lifestyle; it’s a place where infants are introduced to the water and young swimmers learn endurance; it’s lessons, aerobics, laps, and team events.

The Mahaska County YMCA provides many opportunities for swimmers of all ages and swimming lessons are available for adults and youth. They are held at various times depending upon demand. The Y also offers family swim, lap swim, open swim, and has competitive swim teams and water aerobics.

What’s your pool pleasure? Click on any of the Aquatics links for more information or give the Y a call.




POOL SCHEDULE & POLICY


View the pool schedule here and policy information here so you can take advantage of the Y’s programs, open swims, lessons and more!


LEARN MORE


PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES


Aquatics at the Mahaska County YMCA means more than just a pool. It’s a place to learn a life-saving skill which is also important to a healthy lifestyle.


LEARN MORE


DOLPHINS


The Dolphins Swim Team seeks to encourage and motivate each swim team member to develop his or her individual skills.


LEARN MORE

A Gym and More!

BECOME A MEMBER

True the gym is an important element of the Mahaska County YMCA, but the Y is so much more! It’s a home for healthy living, a means to give back to your community, a place to play, and offers a wide variety of youth, teen adult, and senior program opportunities.

JOIN TODAY