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Aquatics
Make a Splash at the Y
Explore Reading Y Aquatics
Aquatics for Every Swimmer
Whether you’re learning to swim, looking for a place to stay active, or ready to take your skills to the next level, the Reading YMCA has something for you in the water. Explore swim lessons, lap and open swim, aquatic fitness, competitive swim team programs, Red Cross certifications, pool rentals, and more.
Check current pool hours, schedules, programs, and aquatics resources below to find what works for you.
Reading YMCA Pool
Fall Open Swim Hours
Monday | 6 AM – 6 PM |
Tuesday | 6 AM – 6 PM |
Wednesday | 6 AM – 6 PM |
Thursday | 6 AM – 6 PM |
Friday | 6 AM – 6 PM |
Saturday | 10 AM – 2 PM |
Sunday | 8 AM – 2 PM |
*Very limited lanes between 5-6 PM
Hours are subject to change. Click here to view the current aquatics schedule/calendar
Please follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, for updates on closures, holidays, and special events.
| Aquatics | Director |
|---|---|
Rebecca Beres |
Pool Rules & Safety
Help us keep the pool safe and enjoyable for everyone. Before visiting, please review YMCA pool rules, youth guidelines, swim test expectations, and general member conduct information.
Looking for a New Place to Swim?
From lap swimmers and aquatic fitness regulars to families looking for swim lessons, the Reading YMCA offers aquatics options for every stage. Our indoor pool is open year-round, with programs designed to help adults stay active and children build confidence in the water.
Lap Swim & Aquatic Fitness
View pool hours, lap swim details, and frequently asked questions.
Swim Lessons
Help your child build confidence, water safety skills, and stronger swim technique.
What’s New This Season at the Reading Y Pool
This season, the Reading Y Pool is making it easier to stay active, try something new, and keep swimming strong all season long.
- New Aquatic Fitness Schedule
Our updated class schedule is here, including more classes. - Family Swim Lessons
Now is a great time to get everyone in the water & build confidence. Special pricing for family/small groups. - Lifeguard Certification Classes
Interested in becoming a lifeguard? Need a recertification? Certification classes are available this winter for those looking to build skills and earn credentials.
Check back often for schedule updates, holiday hours, and new aquatic opportunities throughout the season.
Fall Weekly Aquatic Fitness
Starting 8/31 | Hours are subject to change.
Monday: 8 AM AquaFit | 9 AM AquaFit | 4 PM AquaZumba
Tuesday: 9 AM Aquacise | 10:15 AM AquaFit
Wednesday: 10:30 AM AquaFit | 4 PM AquaZumba
Thursday: 9 AM Aquacise | 10:15 AM AquaFit
Friday: 9 AM Aquacise
*No additional cost for group fitness classes
Whether you’re here for lap swim, open swim, swim lessons, or aquatics fitness, our schedule makes it easy to dive in.
Reading Y Swim Team
Take Your Skills to the Next Level
Join the Reading Y Swim team where dedication meets community. This program focuses on proper stroke technique and endurance for all levels of competitive swimmers.
- Ages 6–18
- Stroke technique refinement
- Multiple weekly practices + competitive meets
- Focus on honesty, respect, and dedication
Reading YMCA Swim Team Makes Historic Wins
The Reading YMCA Swim Team continues to make waves with dedication, teamwork, and standout performances. Celebrate the swimmers’ latest accomplishments and see how RY is building confidence, skill, and team spirit in and out of the pool.
Swim Lessons
Learn Swimming, Build Confidence
Whether your child is just learning to splash or mastering their stroke technique, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County offers progressive swim lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Our structured swim lessons guide participants from water discovery all the way to advanced stroke mechanics:
- Parent & Child (6 mos–3 yrs): Stage A & B – comfort in water, bubbles, assisted floats
- Preschool (3–5 yrs): Stages 1–3 – acclimation, movement, stamina
- School Age (6–12 yrs): Stages 1–6 – progression through stroke introduction, development, mechanics
- Teen & Adult: Beginner to advanced levels
YMCA Swim Level Guide
Infant & Toddler
6 months – 3 years
Stages A – B
Preschool
3 – 5 years
Stages 1 – 4
School Age
5 – 12 years
Stages 1 – 6
Teen & Adult
Stages 1 – 6
Swim Starters: Parent & Child Lessons
Outcomes: Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.
A. Water Discovery: Introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment
- Blow bubbles on the surface, assisted
- Front tow chin in water, assisted
- Water exit parent & child together
- Water entry parent & child together
- Back float assisted, head on the shoulder
- Roll, assisted
- Front float chin in water, assisted
- Back tow assisted, head on shoulder
- Wall grab assisted
B. Water Exploration: Focuses on exploring body positions, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills
- Blow bubbles mouth & nose submerged, assisted
- Front tow blow bubbles, assisted
- Water exit assisted
- Water entry assisted
- Back float assisted, head on chest
- Roll assisted Front float blow bubbles, assisted
- Back tow assisted, head on chest
- Monkey crawl assisted, on edge, 5 ft.
Swim Basics: Recommended skills for all to have around water
Outcomes: Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills:
- Swim, float, swim, sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide, and exit
- Jump, push, turn, grab
1. Water Acclimation: Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance
- Submerge bob independently
- Front glide assisted, to wall, 5 ft.
- Water exit independently
- Jump, push, turn, grab assisted
- Back float assisted, 10 secs., recover independently
- Roll assisted
- Front float assisted, 10 secs., recover independently
- Back glide assisted, at wall, 5 ft.
- Swim, float, swim assisted, 10 ft.
2. Water Movement: Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently
- Submerge look at object on bottom
- Front glide 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
- Water exit independently
- Jump, push, turn, grab
- Back float 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
- Roll Front float 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
- Back glide 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
- Tread water 10 secs., near wall, & exit
- Swim, float, swim 5 yd.
3. Water Stamina: Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages
- Submerge retrieve object in chest-deep water
- Swim on front 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
- Water exit independently
- Jump, swim, turn, swim, grab 10 yd.
- Swim on back 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
- Roll Tread water 1 min. & exit (30 secs. preschool)
- Swim, float, swim 25 yd. (15 yd. preschool)
Swim Strokes: Skills to support a healthy lifestyle
Outcomes: Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that prevent chronic disease, increase social-emotional and cognitive well-being, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.
4. Stroke Introduction: Introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl, and reinforces water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke
- Submerge retrieve object in chest-deep water
- Swim on front 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
- Water exit independently
- Jump, swim, turn, swim, grab 10 yd.
- Swim on back 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
- Roll Tread water 1 min. & exit (30 secs. preschool)
- Swim, float, swim 25 yd. (15 yd. preschool)
5. Stroke Development: Introduces breaststroke and butterfly and reinforces water safety through treading water and sidestroke
- Endurance any stroke or combination of strokes, 50 yd.
- Front crawl bent-arm recovery, 25 yd.
- Back crawl pull, 25 yd.
- Dive kneeling
- Resting stroke sidestroke, 25 yd.
- Tread water scissor & whip kick, 2 mins.
- Breaststroke 25 yd.
- Butterfly simultaneous arm action & kick, 15 yd.
6. Stroke Mechanics: Refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle
- Endurance any stroke or combination of strokes, 150 yd.
- Front crawl flip turn, 50 yd.
- Back crawl pull & flip turn, 50 yd.
- Dive standing
- Resting stroke elementary backstroke or sidestroke, 50 yd.
- Tread water, retrieve object off bottom, tread 1 min.
- Breaststroke open turn, 50 yd.
- Butterfly 25 yd.
Pool Rentals
Make your next celebration or group event a splash. Pool rentals may be available for birthday parties, team events, and community gatherings at select YMCA locations. Availability, pricing, and rental options vary by location.
Interested in renting space at the Y? View facility rental options.
Lap Swim FAQ
No. At this time, YMCA of Reading & Berks County aquatics programs are offered at the Reading YMCA pool.
Yes. Lap swim is included with qualifying YMCA memberships. Non-members may also access lap swim with the purchase of a day pass. Please check the current Reading YMCA pool schedule before visiting, as pool availability may vary.
Lap swim access may vary by schedule and pool availability. Please check the current Reading YMCA pool schedule for lap swim times and any reservation details.
Yes, lap swim may be used for individual aquatic fitness when space allows. Members should follow pool safety rules, share lanes respectfully, and follow lifeguard guidance.
Personal aquatic fitness equipment may be allowed if it is clean, safe, and appropriate for the pool environment. Please check with the Reading YMCA aquatics team before bringing equipment such as aquatic dumbbells, flotation belts, or other fitness gear.
The Reading YMCA pool schedule is available online and kept up to date with current lap swim, open swim, lesson, and program times. Please check the schedule before visiting.