Aquatics at Manhattan Youth's Downtown Community Center

Our Downtown Community Center features a full length 25-yard pool, kept at a warm and inviting 86-88 degrees - perfect for families and young children. 

Center Members are able to access daily Family Swim and Adult Lap Swim hours, as well as complimentary pool and pool-side classes for infants and toddlers throughout the week. 

Learn more about Membership to the Downtown Community Center.
 

Manhattan Youth Swim School

The Manhattan Youth Swim School at the Downtown Community Center provides small-group, child-centered swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. Our program promotes safety, fun, and friendship, taught through our progressive "Learn-to-Swim" curriculum.

We encourage young children to swim through play, exploration, interaction with fellow students, and by building confidence with each new skill that they learn.

Infants, Toddlers, & Preschool-aged Children

Our Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Aquatics Programs offer a wide range of Swim Lessons and classes to cater to each child's needs. Bubble Babies classes and Splash Pad open play are included in Membership to the Downtown Community Center. All other swim lessons require registration.

6mo–2yr

Bubble Babies Classes

Our Bubble Babies class helps our newest little swimmers become comfortable in and around the water. Songs and games introduce beginner swim skills (such as kicking, splashing, and blowing bubbles) and create a fun, positive experience for young children in the pool. For children 6mo-2yrs with their grownup.

Bubble Babies classes are FREE for Center Family Members. 

Not a member yet? visit here to learn more and join the Downtown Community Center

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2–3yr

Begin2Swim Program

These registration-based beginner swim lessons offer personal instruction and a progressive curriculum for children ages 2-3yrs. Children learn safety skills, breath control, proper body position, and basic arm and leg movements. Through a structured (but fun!) class setting, swimmers begin to independently follow the lead of the instructor with the encouragement and participation of their grownup. After completion of the Begin2Swim program, swimmers may be ready to move up to the first level of our Pre-K Swim Lessons. 

The Begin2Swim Program requires a parent or caregiver in the pool with each child. Children are ready for this program when they are comfortable and happy in the water, have experience in a class setting, and are ready to learn more progressive swim lesson skills.

For more information please contact us, or register here!

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3–5yr

Pre-K Swim Lessons

Our small-group lessons promote safety, fun, and friendship. We love incorporating a social aspect into swimming - an activity that is often thought of as an individual sport. The result is an environment where children encourage, support, and learn from one another.

Pre-K Swim Lessons have only 3-4 children per instructor, and swimmers are placed into groups based on age and ability.  

For more information please contact us, or visit our registration page.

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All Ages

Private Lessons

Private lessons will cover the same curriculum as our group classes, with one-on-one attention for your child. Private lessons may also be recommended for children with special needs or who may be more successful with one-on-one instruction rather than in a group setting.  

Contact our Aquatics office (swim@manhattanyouth.org) for additional information.

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18mo–3yr

Splash Pad

If your little one loves to play with water, bring them poolside to the Splash Pad! Here, your kids can suit up for interactive play with our assortment of water tables and pool toys, without entering the pool. Parents and caregivers are not required to suit up or get wet, but must be present on the pool deck and directly supervise their child during playtime.

Please see our Center daily schedule for current Splash Pad times, or email us for additional information!

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Youth Swim Lessons: K-5th Grades

Our small-group lessons promote safety, fun, and friendship. We love incorporating a social aspect into swimming - an activity that is often thought of as an individual sport. The result is an environment where children encourage, support, and learn from one another.

We offer classes for all swimming levels - from the inexperienced to the most advanced swimmers.

To register a K-5th grade child for swimming lessons separately from our After-School programs, visit our swim lesson registration page here

Grade K– 5

Youth Swim Lessons

Children in our Youth Swim Lessons (K-5th Grade) are placed into groups based on age and ability. We offer lessons for all swimming levels - from the inexperienced to the most advanced swimmers. Class size for this age is limited to 3-6 children per instructor (depending on the skill level of the swimmers.) Youth Swim Lessons are 40 minutes in length.

Registration is based on a semester schedule, and you may join any time, based on availability.

Please note that this is not a drop off program.

Register here!

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Grade 3–8

Tritons Swim Team

Our Tritons Swim Team offers advanced swimmers the opportunity to gain increased endurance, improve fitness and self-confidence, refine their stroke technique, and learn competitive skills and sportsmanship. Our goal is not strictly to develop fast swimmers. Our goal is to develop great student-athletes and well-rounded young adults, who can balance schoolwork, practices, and a variety of other activities - all with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, respect for themselves and others, and support from their team, coaches, and parents.

Enrollment in the Tritons Swim Team requires an evaluation with one of our coaches. Swimmers choose their own practice schedules, between 2-4 days per week.

For more information, please email tritons@manhattanyouth.org, or visit our tritons page here.

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All Ages

Private Lessons

Private lessons will cover the same curriculum as our group classes, with one-on-one attention for your child. Private lessons may also be recommended for children with special needs or who may be more successful with one-on-one instruction rather than in a group setting.  

Contact our Aquatics office (swim@manhattanyouth.org) for additional information.

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Manhattan Youth After-School Program

If your child is enrolled in any of the elementary school After-School programs where Manhattan Youth provides After-School activities and enrichment, swimming lessons are available as one of your options.  To find out more about After-School programming and sign up for swim lessons as a part of these, click here.

Grade K– 5

After-School Swim Lessons

We are proud to offer Youth Swim Lessons as a choice in our After-School Programs. Children receive the same instruction and swim experience as our Youth swim lessons.  Your child will be picked up directly from their classroom at school dismissal, have a snack, and be transported to the Downtown Community Center for childcare activities provided by our After-school staff.

To find out more on our After-School programs, please click here.

Please note that swim offerings and schedules vary by school. 

 

If you attend a school that is not in our network, you may sign your student up for drop-off After School at the Downtown Community Center.

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Middle School & High School

Our Middle School and High School swimming programs are geared specifically towards adolescent swimmers. Whether new to swimming, or an accomplished team swimmer, we offer a class or program for everyone!

Grade 6–8

Teen Swim Lessons

It's important for our Middle and High-School aged swimmers to feel confident about participating in a swim class. Our Swim Instructors for these classes have years of experience working with Middle and High School students in camp, classroom, and aquatics settings. Classes of all abilities are offered, from beginner to advanced.

To explore swim lessons for your middle and high school student, visit our registration page.

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Grade 3–8

Tritons Swim Team

Our Tritons Swim Team offers advanced swimmers the opportunity to gain increased endurance, improve fitness and self-confidence, refine their stroke technique, and learn competitive skills and sportsmanship. Our goal is not strictly to develop fast swimmers. Our goal is to develop great student-athletes and well-rounded young adults, who can balance schoolwork, practices, and a variety of other activities - all with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, respect for themselves and others, and support from their team, coaches, and parents.

Enrollment in the Tritons Swim Team requires an evaluation with one of our coaches. Swimmers choose their own practice schedules, between 2-4 days per week.

For more information, please email tritons@manhattanyouth.org, or visit our tritons page here.

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Adult Aquatics

Manhattan Youth strives to promote continuing active lifestyles through our Adult Aquatics Programs. Lap Swim hours and Adult group classes are included in Center Membership. Private lessons can be arranged for an additional fee.

Contact our Aquatics office at 212-766-1104 x298 or e-mail for additional information.

 

Adult

Adult Lap Swim

During designated hours, 1-2 lanes are reserved specifically for Adult Lap Swimming. 

Email servicedesk@manhattanyouth.org for information on reserving a lane. 

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Adult

Adult Beginner and Intermediate Swim Classes

These Members-Only classes are great for Adults who have fears of the water, are new to swimming, or want to learn proper strokes and breathing enabling them to swim for longer distances. Our swim instructors for these classes are trained specifically to teach adults beginner and intermediate swimming skills. These classes take place at the same time in the pool, but we offer two groups each week based on skill level so we can be sure to offer the most appropriate level of instruction for each individual.

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Adult

Adult Advanced Swim Training

These drop-in, Members-only Adult classes are designed to help advanced swimmers improve their speed and swimming endurance (in our Fitness/Endurance class) or learn new strokes and refine their stroke technique (in our Technique class). Join our Swim Team coach and advanced-level instructors for weekly sessions, customized for the participants of each particular class. Our experienced instructors will help you achieve your swimming goals.

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Adult

Adult Private Lessons

Our Adult Private lessons can be adapted to the individual needs and specific goals of each swimmer. We will work with your schedule and skill level to curate lessons just for you.

Contact our Aquatics office at 212-766-1104 x298 or e-mail swim@manhattanyouth.org for additional information.

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Adult

Adult Water Aerobics

All Adult Members are welcome in this beginner Water Aerobics class promoting community and fitness.
Email swim@manhattanyouth.org for a complimentary guest pass to bring a friend!

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Senior Aquatics Programs

The Downtown Community Center is proud to offer a free Senior Aquatics program for community residents ages 65+. Stop by the Center at 120 Warren Street to fill out an application.

Winter 2023-2024 Schedule

  • Senior Lap Swim and Open Swim: Mondays through Thursdays 12pm-2pm
  • Senior Water Aerobics: Tuesdays & Thursdays @1pm
  • Senior Learn-to-Swim Lessons: Mondays @1pm
  • Senior Exercise: Stretch & Strengthen: Fridays @1:30pm (Dry class - held in the Activity Room across from the pool)
Adult

Senior Swim

The Downtown Community Center is proud to offer a free Senior Aquatics program for community residents ages 65+. We offer both open swim sessions as well as various senior fitness classes and swim lesson clinics. Seniors love our warm water and welcoming staff. To participate in our Senior Swim program please fill out the Senior Swim Application. You can stop by the community center, or you can find a copy of the application here, where you can print it and fill it out at home. Please bring the application with you to the Center.

Contact swim@manhattanyouth.org for more information.
 

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Adult

Senior Water Aerobics

Our Senior Water Aerobics class offers a 45-min in-pool workout, geared specifically towards our Seniors. This class is drop-in and included as part of our FREE Senior Swim Program.

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