YMCA Water Safety Programs

Safety Around Water

Tampa Bay area children can participate in free water safety classes through the Safety Around Water (SAW) program. The seasonal water safety classes schedule is typically offered once in spring and once in summer. The water safety program is available to the community at 11 Tampa Y locations in Hillsborough and East Pasco counties.

Fall 2023 Water Safety Classes

Tampa YMCA is hosting free Safety Around Water sessions Fall 2023. Water safety skills sessions are a very popular aquatics program – interested community members should register as soon as possible.

Fall 2023 Safety Around Water (SAW) details:

  • Program Dates: August 21st - August 24th
  • Registration Opens:
    • Members: July 31st
    • Non-Members: August 7th

Sign in to your Tampa YMCA account to register!

What is the Safety Around Water program at Tampa YMCA?

The SAW program is a free water safety skills class open to all 3-12 year-old beginners and non-swimmers in the Tampa Bay community to greatly reduce their risk of drowning. During the water safety sessions, certified swim safety instructors teach groups of children a sequenced set of skills to help children become confident in – and around – water.

Participants must be present on the first day of Safety Around Water session with their own swimsuit and towel. A YMCA membership is NOT required; however, due to limited space, pre-registration is required.


Contact your local Y for more water safety information!

Tampa YMCA Swim Test Policy

The Association Swim Test & Identification policy is intended to identify swimming proficiency and to provide appropriate identification while utilizing YMCA aquatic venues.

It is recommended swimmers under the age of 14 take a swim test, unless actively participating in a supervised Aquatics Program. If a swimmer chooses not to take a swim test, they will be identified as a non-swimmer. Lifeguards will consider all swimmers under the age of 14 a non-swimmer unless they are identified with a green wrist band.

How to Pass the Tampa YMCA Swim Test

Cómo que hacer Pasar la Prueba de Natación de la YMCA de Tampa

Swim Test Requirements

Tampa YMCA Water Safety Programs Contact Information

Desiree Ellison, Director of Drowning Prevention & Instruction
Desiree.Ellison@tampaymca.org