Making a splash: Public pools a great place to cool down in summer

When Yuma's famous heat gets cooking every summer, there's always one sure way to dodge getting crispy

Just head for the nearest public swimming pool.

That kind of wet and wild summer fun is made possible each year by facilities and events overseen by the city of Yuma's Parks and Recreation Department. From open swim sessions to water sports and swimming lessons, there's a tidal waves of activities heading Yuma's way at Yuma's public pools.

Whether you want to dog paddle, dunk or dive, here's the scoop on where to make a splash this summer:

YOUTH WATER ATHLETICS

Program offered at Kennedy and Marcus Pools. Diving is limited to 15 participants at each pool. Weekly diving meets will be held at Marcus Pool on Thursday evenings at 4:30 p.m. and swim meets from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Date: June 28 - July 29

Days: Monday through Friday

Ages: Swimming 5 - 14 and ability to swim 25 yards

Diving: ages 8 - 14 and comfortable in deep water

Fee: $52 per swimmer or diver; $34 with city resident credit (Choose a location at time of registration)

Location: Kennedy Pool

Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Diving

5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Swimming

Location: Marcus Pool

Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Swimming or Diving

YUMA HEAT

The Heat is Yuma's competitive swim team. A member of United States Swimming, Inc (USA Swimming) the Heat will compete throughout Arizona, Southern California, and beyond! Individuals aged six and older are welcome to participate. Adults are invited to join the growing Masters (19 and over) group. The summer season begins April 6, but new swimmers are welcome at any time. Novice to veteran, with seven distinct practice groups, everyone has a place with the Yuma Heat. For further information, contact Head Coach Allan Andersen at (928) 580-7404, e-mail andersen@yumaheat.org, or visit www.YumaHeat.org.

SANDSHARK SUMMER SWIM TEAM

This eight-week program is a great way to get involved in competitive swimming. The Sandsharks (a division of the Yuma Heat) are members of the Imperial Valley Swim League (IVSL), a summer recreational swimming organization that includes teams from Yuma and California's Imperial Valley. Weekday dual meets and weekend invitationals provide plenty of competition for those new to the sport. The $125 cost includes IVSL registration, team fees, and a Sandshark t-shirt. For further information, contact Allan Andersen at (928) 580-7404, e-mail andersen@yumaheat.org, or visit www.yumaheat.org.

AQUA FITNESS AEROBICS

This program will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Aqua fitness takes the aerobic/fitness benefits of aquatic exercise and extends them to everyone, even non-swimmers.

Session I: June 2 - June 28

Session II: June 30 - July 26

Location: Marcus Pool

Time: 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Ages: All ages

Fee: $36 per session; $24 with city resident credit

WATER SPORTS

Ever hear of water hockey? Well this is just one sport that kids will learn how to play in this fun-filled program. Other sports and games include water polo, sharks and minnows, marco polo and others.

Session I: June 14 - June 25

Session III: July 5 - July 16

Session IV: July 19 - July 30

Time: 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., ages 13 - 15

Time: 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., ages 11 - 12

Time: 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., ages 8 -10

Location: Valley Aquatic Center

Fee: $30; $20 with city resident credit

A FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

Fathers come free with a paid child.

Date: Sunday, June 20

Location: Kennedy Pool and Valley Aquatic Center

Time: 1 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR COURSE

Pre-requisite: Age 16 and up, able to swim 500 yards using the breaststroke, sidestroke, and front and back crawl. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to teach the fundamentals swimming and lifesaving. Total 40 hours.

Date: June 1 - June 11

Location: Valley Aquatic Center

Time: 8 a.m. - noon

Fee: $150; $115 with city resident credit

LIFEGUARD TRAINING

This class provides skills and knowledge needed to become well-trained effective lifeguards for pools and no-surf beaches. Prerequisite: Ages 15 and up and able to swim 500 yards using the breaststroke, sidestroke and freestyle or crawl stroke.

Date: June 14 - June 25

Location: Valley Aquatic Center

Time: 8 a.m. - noon

Fee: $130; $100 with city resident credit. Additional classes will be made available. For more information please call 928-373-5243 or 928-343-7946.

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

These classes are offered for individuals that would like one-on-one instruction. All instructors are certified Water Safety Instructors through the American Red Cross.

Session l: June 7 - June 11

Location: Marcus Pool

Times: 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Location: Kennedy Pool

Time: 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Session II: June 14 - June 18

Location: Marcus Pool

Time: 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Location: Kennedy Pool

Time: 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Fee: $47; $31 with city resident credit

SPLASH OUT CRIME NIGHT

Beat the heat. Come out and join 78-Crime Stoppers for a dip in the pool. There will be free swimming, DJ music, games, prizes, and fun for the whole family. The concession stand will be open with refreshments at a minimal cost.

Date: Aug. 7

Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Where: Valley Aquatic Center

Fee: Free

OPEN SWIM AT PUBLIC POOLS

Please note: Daily admission rates will apply to all patrons and non-swimmers entering aquatic facilities. No ice chests/coolers or lawn chairs are allowed at any of the aquatic facilities.

Swimmers must wear proper swimwear only. Swimmers wearing cut off jeans, clothing or bathing suits with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets, or metal ornamentation will not be allowed to go down the slides due to the damage that may be caused by such swimwear.

• All pool hours and dates are tentative and subject to change.

• Kennedy Pool and the Valley Aquatic Center are closed on Mondays for Open Swim.

• Marcus Pool is open Tuesday and Thursday only

• Pools are closed on 4th of July and Labor Day.

• Open swim hours will change once school begins in August.

Beginning on June 1, all Swim for Fitness hours will be scheduled at the Valley Aquatic Center. Both Marcus and Carver Pools are still available for private rentals on a limited basis.

VALLEY AQUATIC CENTER

Opening Weekend and Regular Hours:

Date: June 5 - Aug. 8

Tuesday - Friday, 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Daily youth (17 and under) Admission: $2.50; $2 with city resident credit. Daily adult (18 and over) Admission: $5; $3.50 with city resident credit

Date: Aug. 14 - Sept. 26

Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Daily youth (17 and under) Admission: $2; $1.50 with city resident credit. Daily adult (18 and over) Admission: $4; $3 with city resident credit Closed on 4th of July and Labor Day.

KENNEDY POOL

Regular Hours:

Date: June 5 - Aug. 8

Closed on 4th of July and Labor Day

Tuesday - Friday, 1 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Daily youth (17 and under) Admission: $2; $1.50 with city resident credit. Daily adult (18 and over) Admission: $4.50; $3 with city resident credit

MARCUS POOL

Regular Hours:

Date: June 15 - Aug. 5

Tuesdays and Thursdays - 12 p.m. -2 p.m.

Daily youth (17 and under) Admission: $1.50; $1 with city resident credit. Daily adult (18 and over) Admission: $4.50; $3 with city resident credit

SUMMER POOL PASSES

• Monthly and season passes are available for purchase at the Parks and Recreation Office (ONLY).

• Family passes are for immediate family use only.

• The rate for a family pass applies to the first five members of the immediate family. For each additional family member included on the pass, there will be an added charge of $5.

MONTHLY PASS

Youth: $46; $28 with city resident credit

Adult: $62; $46 with city resident credit

Family: $87; $58 with city resident credit

Monthly passes are available for one calendar month only. June: June 1 - June 30, July: July 1 - July 31, or August: August 1 - September 5.

SEASON PASS

Youth: $80; $53 with City resident credit

Adult: $122; $81 with City resident credit

Family: $192; $128 with city resident credit

Season passes are good from June 5 - September 5 and are accepted at any City pool.

POOL RENTAL

Valley Aquatic Center, Carver, Kennedy, and Marcus Pools are available for rentals throughout the summer. Rental fees vary for each facility. The Valley Aquatic Center has its' own “private party” room called “The Aquarium” that can be rented for an additional fee. No pool parties after August 1, 2010. For additional information, (928) 373-5243.

SWIM LESSONS

Swim Lesson Session Dates:

Session I: June 1 - June 11

(Class time: 50 minutes)

Session II: June 7 - June 18

Session III: June 14 - June 25

Session IV: June 21 - July 2

Session V: June 28 - July 9

Session VI: July 5 - July 16

Session VII: July 12 - July 23

Session VIII: July 26 - August 6

SWIM LESSON REGISTRATION

Swim lesson participants may sign up for only one session at a time, but may register for any session during the summer.

Participants must successfully complete all requirements for one level before entering the next level. Participants who are currently enrolled and wish to register for another session of swim instruction, may do so on the Wednesday before the last day of the session that you are enrolled in at the time.

Registration, transfers and waiting list transactions may be done in person at the Parks and Recreation Office or by telephone. (Visa, Discover, American Express and MasterCard accepted).

No one will automatically be placed on a waiting list. Parents must request to be put on a waiting list through the Parks and Recreation office. Wait listed participants will be notified if vacancies become available on a first come, first serve basis. Refunds will not be made for participants. However, funds may be transferred or placed on account for another swim lesson session or other Parks and Recreation activity.

Availability of upcoming classes is not guaranteed as registration is on-going throughout the summer.

Classes without a minimum of six may be combined with other classes or canceled.

Swim lesson registration is not available on-line.

Note that classes meet Monday through Friday for 45 minutes except, for Infant toddler, which is only 30 minutes. $38; $25 with City resident credit.

Infant toddler is defined as 6 months - 36 months. Parents or adult age 14 and older accompanies the child in the water. Preschool is defined as 3 - 5 years. Parents or adult supervision required for children age 3. Emphasis will be on learning basic skills, holding breath, and floating. Minimum 6 per class.

Infant toddler and preschool classes intend to develop in young children a high comfort level in and around the water and a readiness to swim. These courses do not teach children to be accomplished swimmers or how to survive in the water.

Beginner Diving: Prerequisite; age 8 and over, swim 25 yards, and feel comfortable in deep water. Minimum six per class.

• Level I: Water Exploration - Become oriented to aquatic environment. Minimum six per class.

• Level II: Primary Skills - Prerequisite: Level I certificate or demonstrated competency in Level I skills. Minimum six per class.

• Level III: Stroke Readiness - Prerequisite: Level II certificate or demonstrated competency in Level II skills. Minimum six per class.

• Level IV: Stroke Development - Prerequisite: Level III certificate or demonstrated competency in Level III skills. Minimum six per class.

• Level V: Stroke Refinement - Prerequisite: Level IV certificate or demonstrated competency in Level IV skills. Minimum six per class.

• Level VI: Skill Proficiency - Prerequisite: Level V certificate or demonstrated competency in Level V skills. Minimum six per class.

ADULT SWIM LESSONS

Instruction is co-ed. Class participation may range from water adjustment (afraid of water) to advanced skills for those interested in improving their swimming skills. Instruction is geared to the individual goals of the participant. Minimum six per class.