Teaching your child to swim and encouraging him or her to swim regularly can have significant benefits for both their health and safety.
Especially on a hot day, swimming is a way to keep cool while encouraging a healthy level of physical and social activity. Take your kids to indoor pools in the colder months to promote an active lifestyle all year long.
Swimming provides a more effective workout than some other activities.
According to KidsHealth.org, drowning is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of five and 24.
By teaching your children to swim, they will not only become a stronger swimmer, but also gain valuable experience in the water.
This experience greatly reduces the risk of an emergency if your child accidentally falls in an unguarded pool or gets pulled into deep water by a rip current at the beach.
Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular workout that promotes heart and lung health, improves strength and flexibility, increases stamina and even improves balance and posture.
In addition, swimming is a way to prevent childhood obesity, which has been linked to juvenile diabetes.
Swimming is less stressful on the body and offers an alternative workout for those who find it difficult to move.
Swim lessons for all ages are held at the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre throughout the year.
The Pollywogs swim program offers advanced training for children ages five to eight to improve on endurance and stroke correction in a fun active format.
Registration opens on March 1 and space is limited, so make sure to mark it on your calendar. This is a very popular program and fills very quickly.
This program will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:15 to 5 p.m. from April 2 to 25. Spring Break Red Cross swim lesson camp will be held the week of March 18 to 22.
Children ages six and over can earn their next level badge in just one week. Deadline to register for spring break lessons is Monday, March 11.
Spring preschool swim lessons will be held on Saturday mornings starting April 6, between 10 and 11:30 a.m.
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We are now taking registration for this and all our spring programs. Adults can overcome their fear of the water by enrolling in our adult learn to swim program.
The instructor will help you work on ways to feel comfortable in the water and help you start enjoying the sport of swimming.
Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m., starting April 4 to 25.
For details on spring programs, you can view the March brochure at www.rdkb.com or give the recreation office a call at 250-442-2202.
– Submitted by Lilly Bryant