By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma-Dallas County YMCA will be making a splash this summer with public and private swimming lessons.

“Everybody needs to know how to swim,” said Teal Cabe, aquatics coordinator for the YMCA. “I just think swimming is an essential skill.”

Group swimming lessons are available for two age groups, 3 to 5 and 6 to 14. One-on-one lessons with a private instructor are available for any age.

“It’s never too early to start a child out swimming,” Cabe said.

While Cabe said the greatest attendance is in the 6 to 14-year-old group, the YMCA usually has a good mix of ages.

“We’ve had several people in their fifties taking lessons,” Cabe said.

Two sessions are offered per month in the summer to accommodate demand, Cabe said. Sessions offered periodically throughout the year each last a full month.

“The first couple days, it’s just the fact of getting them in the water, getting them used to the water,” Cabe said. “A lot of kids—when they first come in—they’re afraid. They are terrified of the water.”

Throughout the class, students will learn how to float, kick, and do a front crawl. “And then if they want to learn how to sharpen their skills, most of the time they’ll come back and do a private lesson,” Cabe said.

Cabe said he recommends swimming lessons for anyone unfamiliar with the water.

“The water can be very dangerous,” Cabe said. “If you have an instructor—all of our instructors are also lifeguards. So, they’re trained in CPR, first-aid, all that stuff. So if anything happens, someone will be there and can help.”

The YMCA has four swimming instructors—two for the group lessons and two who offer private instruction.

Parents must remain at the YMCA while their children are taking lessons, Cabe said.

“They don’t have to be out here on the pool deck,” Cabe said. “If they’re members, they could work out. They could sit in the lobby, drink coffee—they just have to be in the facility.”

Classes take place Monday through Thursday, with Fridays being reserved for make-ups. Each summer session lasts two weeks for a total of eight classes. The sessions are: June 6-16; June 20-30; July 5-14; and July 18-28.

Group lessons cost $45 for members and $60 for non-members. Private lessons cost $100 for members and $125 for non-members.

People can sign up for lessons until the day the class starts, Cabe said.