Splash into May, learn to swim today!

Aquatics staff at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, are making waves this May to celebrate National Water Safety Month and National Learn-To-Swim Day, on May 20. 

You’re never too old to learn how to swim – the aquatics staff works with all ages from babies to senior citizens.

Swimming is a gift for life: A relaxing, mood-boosting recreational activity that provides excellent health benefits for everyone.

Water workouts are a great way to exercise because the water naturally cools the body as the workout heats up. Exercising in water also significantly reduces the impact on your joints; fully immersed, 85 percent of body weight is off-loaded. Additionally, water’s resistance is about 44 times greater than air, providing strength and toning as well as a great cardio workout. Both lap swimming and aquatic fitness classes are excellent ways to achieve better fitness!

 Swimming is also a valuable lifelong skill – it could even be the difference between life and death.  Between 2005 to 2014, there were an average of 3,563 fatal unintentional drownings per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning was the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4.

Aquatics director Doug Immel and the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy (LKSA) Team are collaborating to teach people of all ages everything from essential water safety skills, such as treading water and floating, to improving their strokes for fitness routines and swim team.  Many LKSA students go on to join the Dwares JCC swim team, the TigerSharks. 

People looking to become water safe or to learn to swim for fun and fitness are encouraged to call, email or drop by the pool office to discuss their interest in swimming.  Adults should contact Doug Immel, aquatics director, at 401-421-4111, ext. 153, or dimmel@jewishallianceri.org. Parents interested in lessons for their children should contact Lenny Krayzelburg’s coordinator, Victoria Breda, at 401-421-4111, ext. 162, or vbreda@jewishallianceri.org.

ALEX FRANCIS is on the LKSA staff at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.