The North Beaches YMCA holds classes at venues close to four beach cities' residents.
By JULIANNE WU
Published June 8, 2003
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - Twice a week, Belleair Beach City Hall is transformed. Energetic seniors replace council members. Political footballs are out. An exercise called fitball is in.
At the Holiday Inn Harbourside's swimming pool in Indian Rocks Beach, six people with buoyant foam noodles are twisting and jogging in place.
A teen council, which staged a beach party in April that attracted 250 kids, is planning a Y-Games event July 26 that will include teen groups from other YMCA branches.
The North Beaches YMCA is an 8-month-old collaboration of Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores to establish their own exercise options closer to home.
"The North Beaches branch is a Y without walls," said Brian Kridler, director of new development for the Suncoast YMCA. Classes are held at venues in those beach cities instead of multipurpose facilities such as the Ridgecrest and Clearwater YMCAs, which are several miles away.
The response has been good enough to offer the same programs at the same prices for next year, said Roger Jacobs, the North Beaches YMCA's program executive.
"We are constantly learning, particularly what works with the various seasons," Jacobs said. "It appears our winter classes, say from October to March, are the best attended.'
Since last October, Jacobs said, more than 600 residents (of 8,600) and a few nonresidents have taken classes in such things as aerobics, cooking and spiritual belly dancing. There are clients 3 years old to octogenarians.
During the busy season, 15 to 20 people attended each class. Now, with many beach residents back up North for the summer, classes of five and six are the norm.
Jacobs was pleased that 35 youngsters, ages 3 to 12, signed up for swimming lessons: "We never offered swimming lessons before."
Denise Bebell, a personal fitness instructor from Largo, said "people are very dedicated. Many have reached their own personal goals such as lowering their blood pressure or losing weight."
Cathy and David Jones of Indian Rocks Beach have lost a combined 13 pounds doing fitball, an exercise program involving weighted rubber balls. Cathy is 62, David is 71.
The Joneses, who live 11/2 miles from Belleair Beach City Hall, said they ride their bikes when the weather is nice. Or, it's a 5-minute drive.
Carlena Braswell, 57, of Indian Shores enjoys classes five mornings a week - including fitball, the water exercises and Pilates.
Of 15 classes offered since October, only tai chi was dropped for lack of interest.
The four municipalities involved pay an annual membership fee of $100,000, or about $10 per resident. Users pay additional fees for classes.
Indian Rocks Beach, with about 5,100 residents, pays about $60,000. Indian Shores and Belleair Beach each pay about $19,000 (both communities have populations of slightly more than 1,700). Belleair Shore will pay proportionately for its approximately 100 citizens.
Residents who want to take classes only in the North Beaches area pay $45 for a punch card, which Jacobs said covers about 10 to 15 classes. Nonresidents pay a $25 joiner's fee and $60 for a punch card.
To take advantage of activities at other Suncoast YMCAs, residents must get a membership. Monthly fees range from $57 for a family to $22 for youths ages 9 to 17.
Bob DiNicola, mayor of Indian Rocks Beach, praised the program."It's really going better than I anticipated," he said.
For more information
For information and fees, the North Beaches YMCA office is at 500 Second St., Indian Rocks Beach, or call 595-5610. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
