Instruction helps overcome fear of water

Like family road trips and camp adventures, swimming lessons are a summertime rite for many children.

The city of Grapevine's Learn to Swim Program, now about 40 years old, is a summertime tradition that has touched thousands of youngsters as well as those who are young at heart.

Since Colleyville, Southlake and Westlake have no public outdoor pools, Grapevine's swim program at its two city pools are a big draw for families eager to see their children get acquainted with the water.

"We teach close to 2,000 people how to swim each year," Grapevine spokeswoman Mona Burk said.

While most students are children, the program offers classes for adults as well, with options such as swimming instruction, water aerobics and water Pilates.

"We try to offer something for everyone," said Jennifer Kashner, Grapevine aquatics coordinator.

Besides the abundance of classes, the Learn to Swim Program is affordable for most at $42 for two weeks of group lessons for Grapevine residents.

"There are private programs in the area that charge more, so some families will come to us in the summer to vary it up or save some money," Kashner said.

The program offers group lessons for up to six students, semiprivate lessons for up to three students, and one-on-one instruction at both Dove Waterpark, 1509 Hood Lane, and Pleasant Glade Pool, 1805 Hall-Johnson Road.

Semiprivate instruction is $67 for a two-week session and $100 for one week of private lessons. Fees for nonresidents are slightly higher.

Other classes available include diving, lifeguard certification and water safety instructor courses. Youth classes are available for infants through teenagers.

Grapevine Gators, a competitive swim team, practices at Pleasant Glade Pool.

One of the most important goals of the Learn to Swim program is helping children overcome their fear of the water, Kashner said.

Water Babies classes, also known as Mom, Dad & Me, is a way to introduce infants as young as 6 months old to the water with a parent present.

To reinforce that comfort without a parent, Water Tots, a semiprivate class, was introduced a few years ago for toddlers ages 18 to 35 months.

This year, Learn to Swim is introducing Fearless Fish, $67 for residents, for children ages 3 to 5 who remain afraid of water, even if they have taken the infant and toddler classes.

"Our goal here is to separate kids who are afraid of the water from those who aren't so it is more beneficial for everybody," Kashner said. "We really want to give extra attention to those fearful kids."

Amy Smith, a parent of two children ages 12 and 15, said her children took swim lessons through the program for many years. With a daughter who was fearful of the water, she understands the importance of helping these children.

"This is something the instructors have always been very good at," Smith said. "They are well-trained and very patient. We had a great experience there."

No other new classes will be introduced this summer, but an array of new opportunities will be available when the renovated Community Activities Center opens in 2015 with an indoor pool, Kashner said.

"Our senior citizens are very excited and looking forward to year-round water aerobics," she said.

Programs offered

Learn to Swim Classes

• Water Babies, recommended ages 6–18 months
• Water Tots, ages 18–35 months
• Fearless Fish, ages 3–5 years Fearless Fish is a new program offered this year for children who remain afraid of the water even if they have taken the infant and toddler class.

Semi-private instruction—$67 for two-week session (resident)

Private lessons—$100 for one week session (resident)

Water aerobics classes

• Deep Water Dynamics (Pleasant Glade Pool)
• Pilates/Power Sculpting (Dove Waterpark)

Grapevine city pools

Dove Waterpark, 1509 Hood Lane

Pleasant Glade Pool, 1805 Hall-Johnson Rd.

www.playgrapevine.com, 817-410-3461