By Rachel Beck, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 12:00 am
Swimming lessons teach safety, skills
It's morning at the Lebanon Community Pool. Kids of all ages splash and swim under the eyes of skilled instructors. There's plenty of activity going on, but there is still room for more.
"Our numbers are really light right now, but we're getting tons of calls," said Jill Smith, swimming lessons supervisor. "We just think it's very important to make sure kids are safe in, on and around water."
That's why lessons teach lifesaving skills, and include a water safety day as well as instruction in the crawl or backstroke.
"When you live in Oregon, Washington, anywhere there's water, you should know how to swim to be able to save your life," said instructor Gloria Andrews.
Even tiny kids can start getting familiar with water safety. In the Parents and Tots class, kids as young as six months old learn to get comfortable in the warm water pool with a parent or family member.
The lesson plans for the class change daily, and include non-swimming activities for the young children. "We sing a lot of songs," Smith said.
Nichole Merrill swam with her son, Colton, 22 months, last week. "Along with the games that we play, they've taught us… some of the safety things," Merrill said. She also appreciates that Colton gets the chance to interact with other young children.
Susan Yoder, who was at the class with her 2-year-old niece Chloe Pepperling, likes that the class is paced to the child. "And the water's nice and warm," she said of the therapy pool.
The only problem? "The half-hour sessions are too short," Yoder said.
Merrill agreed. "I think they would probably stay in longer."
Yoder and Merrill are fans of the morning sessions, but they're in the minority. Early classes have been lightly attended at every level, while the evening classes are packed.
Alexis Tucker, 9, enjoys getting in the pool in the morning. "It wakes me up a lot," she said. "I'm usually never awake."
Time and money seem to be the biggest reasons for the disparity in class attendance.
"I was thinking it might be the economy," Smith said. The evening classes are held in longer sessions, so parents only have to drive in twice a week. But, Smith said, adults are making efforts to do what they must to get to the pool, including carpooling. "They're thinking about how to do this economically because they know it's important," she said.
Parents and teachers know swimming is more than just recreation.
"Swimming can prepare you for lots of things," said instructor John Carlson, 17. And, he added, it's useful even if it never saves your life. "Someday when you're older and you can't go run, you can swim."
Andrews agrees. "It's a lifetime sport," she said. "You could swim until you're 100."
Damian Riley, age "7-and-a-half," is just getting started with his water skills, but he's already learned how to handle himself in the deep end. How long does he think he'll be swimming?
After a thoughtful pause, he answered carefully. "Well, I think a really, really long time."
Swimming lessons are offered in five morning and two evening sessions. Morning classes are offered on the half hour beginning at 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in two week, Monday through Friday sessions. Evening classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-7 p.m.
The next session is July 14-25. Other sessions are July 28-Aug. 8 and Aug. 11-21. The cost is $35 per 10-class session.
To register or for more information, call the pool at 451-8551.