Adults Get in the Swim!

October 31, 2005 - There are basic skills that can save you from unexpected life-threatening situations and swimming is one of them. Not only is swimming a wonderful life-long exercise that maintains body strength and promotes cardiovascular health, just knowing the basics can save a life. Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional deaths for youths and adults. Swimming lessons teach safety awareness, which may prevent the loss of life and being proficient in the water through learning skills and safety is a primary benefit of quality swim lessons.

You're never too old to learn how to swim and a whole range of Adult Learn to Swim Lessons offered at Park Board swimming pools throughout the city are available for registration starting in October and November.

These Level 1 lessons are designed for the new or nervous adult swimmer. Participants will learn to submerge, float and begin to flutter kick with support. This class will take place in shallow water. The next step - Level 2 lessons - are designed for adults who are comfortable moving in and under the water. Emphasis will be on front, back, and side flutter kicking. Basic front crawl is introduced.

Adult Swim Lessons are accessible and located near to every Vancouver neighbourhood with costs that are very affordable and averaging about $6 per lesson.

Check out the Recreation Program Guide for lesson times, costs and locations.

Benefits of Swimming

• Improves posture, flexibility, muscular endurance, strength and balance.
• Stimulates circulation.
• Creates muscle tone.
• Promotes proper breathing.
• Rehabilitates under-used or healing muscles (aquatic therapy).
• Improves one's ability to control and maintain a healthy weight.
• Helps to combat the aging process.
• Workouts can be tailored to fit the needs of the individual.
• Its low impact... the water makes the body almost weightless, greatly diminishing the impact on joints.
• Great cardiovascular workout (swimming has a calorie-burning potential of 350-420 calories per hour).
• Uses almost all the major muscle groups, and places a vigorous demand on your heart and lungs.
• For some disabled and elderly persons gives a sense of freedom as they can freely move around in the water and be upright in a standing position

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