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REC REPORT: Introducing water world in Grand Forks

The Canadian Red Cross Society strives to reduce the number of drownings in our country each year.

The Canadian Red Cross Society strives to reduce the number of drownings in our country each year.

Red Cross swim lessons are offered at the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre year-round for people aged six months to seniors.

Parent and tot lessons introduce babies and tots to the water in a safe and fun environment.

Parents are in the water with the children to learn the basic water safety procedures for this age group.

Preschool lessons for ages three to five years are designed to introduce children to water by playing games and eliminating the fear of the water for some little ones.

They also learn the danger of water when around pools, rivers and swamps.  The Red Cross Swim lessons for six to 15-year-olds include water safety procedures, stroke skills and endurance swimming.

The summer session format offers a new set of lessons each week starting the week of July 4.

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Once your child has completed the Red Cross swim lessons program, they have the option to move into advance leadership training programs.

The swim patrol program covers advance water safety training, works on stroke corrections and increases endurance while people earn the Rookie/Ranger and Star Patrol awards.

Grand Forks Recreation (GFREC) will be offering a week-long summer camp from Aug. 2 to 5 at the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre.

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If you are 13 years old or older and interested in pursuing a career in aquatics, Christina Lake Recreation will be offering a Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross summer camp from July 25 to 29 at the Christina Lake Public Beach.

This camp offers the first two awards needed to become a lifeguard.

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If you are interested in teaching children how to swim, we will be offering The Water Safety Instructor Course at the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre from Aug. 8 to 12.

The pre-requisite for this course is a current Assistance Water Safety Instructor Certification and you must be 15 years old or older.

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The National Lifeguard Certification is the final course required be become a paid lifeguard.

The Grand Forks Aquatic Centre will be offering this course from Monday, June 27 to July 3 – there will be no class on July 1.

You must hold a current first aid with a CPR certification, a Bronze Cross award and be 16 years of age or older.

Deadline to register is Monday, June 13.

Pick up a May flyer for details on upcoming spring events and summer programs, or view the recreation brochure on the web at www.rdkb.com. You can also reach the Grand Forks Recreation Office at 250-442-2202 and the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre at 250-442-3488 or by email, gfplay@rdkb.com.