Ready for Summer? It's Never Too Early for Swimming Lessons

IT'S OFFICIAL. I’ve got spring fever. This weekend, I smelled spring in the air and saw the indisputable evidence budding and blossoming as we hiked at Saint Edward State Park. I’ve turned the corner and there’s no going back. It may still be February. But summer, I’m ready!

Well, not quite.

I’m ready for the warm weather, trips to the beach and pool, and boating with friends. But my preschooler still has a love-hate relationship with the water. She begs to go the pool. But when we go, she’s timid and clingy.

So, while we (sigh) still have a few more months before summer actually arrives, it’s time to get her ready for the water.

It’s time for swimming lessons.

According to the American Red Cross, one of the most important guidelines for summer safety is to ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. I can understand that. My sister may have drowned when she was 5 if she hadn’t been taking swimming lessons.

We were at a friend’s riverside home. The kids were hanging out on the dock. Suddenly, my sister slipped and disappeared in the murky river water below. Moments later she bobbed up to the surface doing doggy paddle and holding her breath – like she’d just learned in swim lessons. The adult with us was able to reach down and pull her out.

Yes, before another water season comes, it’s time for swim lessons. Whether or not my daughter is swimming laps this year, swim lessons can help her become more comfortable in the water while teaching her important safety skills like how to float and how to get in to – and out of – the water safely.

Luckily, here in Kirkland, we’re not only surrounded by water. We are also surrounded by a number of local organizations providing swimming lessons. Here are some of the options:

Angelfish Swimming (www.angelfishswimming.com) is located in the Highlands neighborhood of Kirkland. It is literally in the backyard of a home built on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Angelfish offers group and private lessons for ages 6 months and older.

Linda Riggins Swimming (www.lindariggins.com) is located in another local backyard pool… this time on Finn Hill. Linda offers lessons to children one and up in her heated pool, which is enclosed during colder months.

Columbia Athletic Club (www.columbiaathletic.com) in Juanita Village offers classes for infants through adults. A discount is provided to members; however, you do not need to be a member to take their classes.

Northwest Aerials (www.nwaerials.com) in Totem Lake offers classes from May through August in their heated outdoor pool. Classes are available for beginner through intermediate swimmers, starting at age 1.

Wave Swim School (www.waveswimschool.com) in Juanita offers a wide range of classes for children 6 months and older. Classes are geared toward children at every level and offerings continue with competitive swim team opportunities.

KTAP Inc. (www.yourswimschool.com) in Sammamish offers classes from March through September in a heated outdoor pool. Classes are available during weekdays for children 18 months through 13 years of all levels. Adult lessons are also available.

Bellevue Family YMCA (http://www.seattleymca.org/page.cfm?id=bv) in Bellevue offers a wide range of lessons for kids and adults of all levels in their indoor pool.

Peter Kirk Pool, Kirkland Parks and Recreation (http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Aquatics/Peter_Kirk_Pool_Schedule.htm) If you don’t get a chance to do pre-season lessons – or even if you do – Kirkland Parks and Recreation offers swim lessons during the summer at the Peter Kirk Pool in downtown Kirkland.

Whether or not you and your kiddos dive in to swimming lessons this spring, enjoy letting spring fever take hold. See you at the pool!