How YMCAs and JCCs are shaping their communities through engaging and effective aquatics programming.
Aquatics programming has long been a pillar of community recreation, but for many YMCAs and JCCs, the pool represents more than swim lanes and lessons. The pool is where a wide variety of programs converge to meet different needs — whether that’s teaching safety skills to children, offering a low-impact fitness option for older adults or creating inclusive opportunities for members with disabilities.
The strength of a pool program lies in how it’s designed, and directors across the country say variety is what keeps members engaged and coming back.
At the YMCA of Superior California, Erik McClain, the aquatics director, said three pillars guide their aquatics programming: water safety, health and well-being, and community engagement. From swim classes to aquatics fitness, the Y offers a variety of programs to fulfill its mission of serving all ages, abilities and comfort levels.
Their programming includes group and private swim lessons for babies to seniors; adaptive aquatics for members with disabilities; low-impact, high-energy aquatics fitness classes for older adults; recreational swim for families and leisure; and lifeguard and first aid certification classes.
Swim lessons and adaptive aquatics remain the most popular for the Y, with McClain attributing it to the high demand of water safety in the community. Drowning prevention is important to the Northern California community where water features are common.
Creating a safe and inclusive environment at the Y is vital for McClain, especially in the aquatics department. “Our pools are often the first point of entry for new members, whether they’re bringing their toddler to swim lessons or joining an aqua fitness class after an injury,” he said.
For Allison Zuchowski, the aquatics director at the Weinstein JCC, variety and safety are just as important. “We want to provide a well-rounded mix of aquatics opportunities that support health, wellness, skill development and recreation,” she said. “Offering a variety ensures we meet the needs of all ages and interests from fitness enthusiasts to families with children.”
On the fitness side, the Weinstein J offers multiple water-based classes, including deep and shallow water aerobics, aqua Zumba, Tabata and Water in Motion — a low-impact, high-energy aqua workout class. Instructional swim is a major part of their programming too, with American Red Cross Parent and Child courses and Learn to Swim classes offered. The JCC also emphasizes youth development through their Pre-Fins and the Dolphin Club swim team, giving young swimmers the chance to build competitive skills and team spirit.
The impact of these programs is clear to Zuchowski. She said feedback has been very positive, with members returning for future sessions and recommending programs to family and friends.
At the Caine Halter Family YMCA in Greenville, South Carolina, Sean Van Velsor, the aquatics director, oversees a program built on balance. With two pools — one kept warm for therapy, aqua aerobics and swim lessons, and an outdoor pool kept cooler for lap swimmers and advanced swim teams — his department can serve multiple audiences without programs competing for space.
That balance has been strengthened by a recent facility upgrade. The Y installed a DynaDome pool cover, transforming how consistently they can run programming. “It’s a night and day difference,” said Van Velsor. “We don’t have closures nearly as much because of bad weather. We don’t have to close because we lose power and we don’t have issues with temperature. It’s just such a nicer environment.”
The flexibility has been especially important for programming that needs reliability, like lap swim or fitness classes. “I can press the button and in 45 seconds the dome will be open,” said Van Velsor. “In the middle of the day, lap swimmers are ecstatic because in January, they get to swim outside. If we get a thunderstorm, we can close it. It’s given us a lot of flexibility to not be bound to weather issues.”
Behind every program are the resources that make it possible. McClain pointed to staffing as the foundation of their success. Training lifeguards and swim instructors well is essential for his team. They invest in ongoing training, in-service drills and certifications for their staff. Budget allocations help cover training costs, safety equipment and ADA-compliant upgrades like pool lifts. Scheduling tools help maximize the use of the pool without overcrowding and maintaining a clean facility is key to member satisfaction.
Van Velsor said he sees the most success when observing from the pool deck. “When I’m watching a practice or class, I see parents sitting down and barely paying attention to their swimmers, but that’s because they trust and respect us,” he said.
Observation is also vital for Zuchowski, saying she knows a program is succeeding when members are active and enthusiastic.
For other community rec professionals looking to implement or grow aquatics programming, each director pointed to the importance of responsiveness to the community.
“Start with your community’s needs,” said McClain. “Run surveys, talk to parents and partner with local organizations. Then invest in staff training — your people make the program.”
McClain added prioritizing safety and accessibility, mixing structured and unstructured aquatics and keeping programs fresh by rotating formats and events.
Zuchowski emphasized member input. She recommended listening intently to members and using their feedback to guide your programming. Staying on top of current trends and continuing to innovate are other key strategies for aquatics programming.
For Van Velsor, flexibility and balance are the priorities. Having two pools allows the Y to program for therapy, recreation and competition without forcing groups to compete for time. The DynaDome gives staff confidence to schedule outdoor programming year-round.
What unites these directors is a shared belief that aquatics programming is essential not only to their facility operations but also to their community’s needs. Each director called aquatics a cornerstone of the YMCA.
“Aquatics is a cornerstone of our facility and one of the primary reasons many members join,” said Zuchowski. “It’s versatile; offering fitness, instruction, competition and fun while serving people across all age groups and ability levels. Aquatics programming strengthens community connections while promoting health and wellness, making it an essential part of any recreation center.”
For Van Velsor, the proof comes every time lap swimmers cheer for a January swim outdoors or when a child leaves lessons with new confidence. For McClain, it’s the parent who shares that adaptive aquatics changed their family’s life. And for Zuchowski, it’s the steady return of members who find themselves drawn back to the pool — session after session.
Across YMCAs and JCCs, aquatics programming continues to evolve but its purpose stays steady: to meet members where they are and give them the tools, skills and experiences they need to thrive in and around the water.
What’s clear from each of these directors is that the pool is more than just a program space — it’s a connector. It’s where parents and toddlers take first steps toward safety, where older adults discover new ways to stay active, where children with disabilities experience inclusion, and where communities gather to celebrate, compete and grow together.
In that way, aquatics programs ripple far beyond the water. They keep members engaged, strengthen community bonds and fulfill the core missions of the Y and JCC alike: to promote safety, wellness and belonging. And while the classes, equipment and even pool domes may change with the times, the impact remains timeless.
