Steamboat Pilot & Today

After successful spring and summer swim lesson sessions, the Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Center is gearing up for the fall season.

In five sessions from May through August, more than 500 people registered for swim lessons through the center's aquatics program.

Aquatics Director Sarah Hamor said the numbers for the fall session won't be as high, but the three-week fall schedule caters to students, enabling parents interested in enrolling their children to be able to work around their school schedules.

"We really hope to have a nice, full fall," Hamor said. "We have great programs here with very experienced instructors. During the fall, classes are smaller so the individual attention is great. We really strive on the quality of our classes, and everyone is taught at their level."

The fall sessions will offer programs for children 5 and younger as well as children 6 and older, with the oldest children typically 12 or 13.

Health and Rec begins teaching children as young as 6 months to swim with the "shrimp" and "tadpole" programs that provide fun, active and stimulating environments for children from 6 to 36 months. Parent participation in the water is required.

Children ages 2 1/2 to 5 can enroll in "polliwog," "guppy," "minnow" or "dolphin" sessions. The polliwog program helps children who are reluctant in and around water. Dolphins will be introduced to deep water, diving and the elementary backstroke.

Guppies and minnows are for children in between the polliwog and dolphin stages.

Swimmers 6 and older can enroll in a variety of levels dependending on their comfort and skill in the water.

A detailed description of the programs and levels available for fall is included on registration forms that are available in the lobby of Health and Rec.

Hamor said registration forms should be completed and returned or mailed as soon as possible. Lessons start Sept. 8, and there will be a $5 administrative fee for all forms turned in after Sept. 1.

Sessions will run twice a week Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday.

Health and Rec also will offer a lifeguard training class and a Water Safety Instructor, or WSI, course this fall, though Hamor said specific dates and times have not been determined.

Day care will be open during swim lessons. Private lessons also are available for those more suited to that environment or for those with scheduling conflicts with the fall sessions.

Anyone with questions on fall swim lessons or advanced safety courses and classes can contact Hamor at Health and Rec at 871-1828.

--To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208

or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com