Registration opens for West University swim lessons

Registration is now open for fall swimming lessons at West University's Wally the Walrus PoolSchool.

According to a press release, the 30-minute lessons will take place indoors at the recreation center in a temperature-controlled pool. There are several classes available to fit children of every age.

The Starfish class is for children ages 12 months to 2 years old and their parents and focuses on general water safety and swimming techniques while children are with their parents in a group setting.

The Tadpole class is for children ages 2-3 who have completed the Starfish class. Children work on water entry and adjustment without the assistance of a parent. Students learn prone positions, breath control, basic movement and kicking. All students must have at least one English-speaking parent.

The Penguin class is for children ages 3-4 and will teach participants how to hold their breath and submerge the head for three seconds, retrieve objects in chest-deep water, become orientated to deep water, learn unsupported prone float or glide and recovery, learn unsupported supine float or glide and recovery, breathing, stepping from the side of the pool into chest-deep water and recovery to a vertical position, getting out at the side of the pool, flutter kick on the front, and basic pool safety rules. Successful completion of the Tadpole class or meeting the age requirement is a prerequisite for the Penguin class.

The Sea Lion class is for children ages 3-4. The students will learn to gain confidence to perform swimming strokes without assistance. They will also learn how to dive for underwater objects and perform knee dives. Completion of the Penguin class and possessing the ability to comfortably place the head underwater is a prerequisite for the class.

The Clownfish class is for children ages 3-4 who are advanced young swimmers. The class focuses on stroke readiness, breath control, buoyancy, water safety and endurance strengthening. Completion of the Sea Lion class and the ability to swim unassisted for 10 yards is a prerequisite for the class.

The following children and teen swimming classes are for children ages 5-17.

The Dolphin class is for students who have not taken a swimming class before and have some fear of the water or no swimming skills. Basic swimming skills are taught in the class so that students learn breath control, water adjustment and buoyancy. Personal water safety and rescue are also taught.

The Eel class is for children ages 5 and up who have graduated from the Dolphin class or are comfortable in the water but have not had any formal lessons. Students should not have any fear of and demonstrated independence in the water. Participants will learn to safely maneuver through the water by themselves and learn to respect the water at all times. Students will learn to submerge the head and body for 10 seconds, retrieve objects in waist-deep water, perform unsupported floats and glides, and swim without assistance with basic front crawl and back crawl movements. Students should also have the endurance to complete at least 12.5 yards in the pool before advancing to the next level. Deep-water exploration is also introduced. Completion of the Sea Lion or Dolphin class and the ability to completely submerge the head in the water is a prerequisite for this class.

The Marlin class is for children ages 5 and up. Students learn to gain confidence to swim on their own, retrieve objects with their eyes open, bob and submerge the head completely, bob in water slightly over the head of swimmers, travel to a safe area, jump into deep water from the side of the pool, dive from the side of the pool while kneeling, prone glide and supine glide with push-off, coordinate back crawl and backstroke, reverse direction while swimming on the front or back, and learn basic swimming and pool safety rules.  To be eligible for this class, swimmers must have completed the Clownfish and/or Eel class and have the ability to swim without assistance for a minimum of 12.5 yards with recognizable front and back crawl motions and technique.

The Stingray class is for students ages 5 and up who are advanced swimmers. Students learn deep-water submerging, buoyancy and floating, rotary breathing, diving from the side of the pool from stride and standing positions, elementary backstroke, sculling on the back, front crawl, back crawl, introduction of the breaststroke and sidestroke, turning at the wall, treading water and emergency water skills. Completion of the Marlin class and the ability to swim freestyle for 25 yards, perform the backstroke and elementary backstroke, and dive from the kneeling and standing are prerequisites for this class.

The Barracude class is for children ages 5 and up. The class teaches participants to become proficient in freestyle and backstroke; develop elementary backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, flip turns and racing dives; and incorporate water safety skills and junior lifeguarding skills.  Completion of the Stingray class, the ability to swim 50 yards using freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke, and diving while kneeling or standing are prerequisites for this class.

The fees for sessions one and two are $60 for residents and $70 for non-residents; fees for session three are $50 for residents and $60 for non-residents.

Registration begins Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the West University Place Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire Blvd. Non-resident registration begins Thursday, Aug. 9.

For more information, visit www.westu.org.