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'Waterproof' your family for summer
By JEREMY HAYES and KATHRYN HELMKE
Published April 28, 2006
TAMPA - It looks like summer will be sizzling hot, and what better way to soothe the sun's swelter than a swim? There's danger in the deep, though, and, for that matter, in the shallows. Any body of water holds potential dangers, from cuts and scrapes to brain damage or drowning. In 2002, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 3,447 unintentional drowning deaths in the United States, an average of nine people every day, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. And for every child younger than 15 who drowns, three more receive emergency treatment for injuries, and 40 percent of those cases require hospitalization. So whether the water is in a bathtub, bucket, pool or the Gulf of Mexico, precautions should be taken. Safety can start with swimming lessons, regardless of age. "Children need to be comfortable in the water, but they also need to have water safety skills," said Mary Jane Vicari, owner and instructor of Water Wellness. She added that many adults also are overcoming a fear of the water. Most swimming instructors also will go out of their way to emphasize that swimming aids, like water wings or wacky noodles, are no substitute for learning to swim. Need help finding a swim school? North of Tampa will publish listings of swim instruction programs throughout the summer. If we didn't include your program, please let us know. Bob Sierra Family YMCA 4029 Northdale Blvd. (813) 962-3220 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 45-minute classes, eight lessons, $45 for facility members, $72 for program participants Private lessons: 30-minute classes, one lesson, $25 for facility members, $35 for program participants; eight lessons, $120 for members, $200 for participants Registration: $60 annual fee for program participants Cheval Country Club 4312 Cheval Blvd. SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and older Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Club Tampa Palms 16402 Tampa Palms Blvd. SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and older Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club 10630 Plantation Bay Drive SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and older Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Heritage Harbor Country Club 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and older Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Hunter's Green Country Club 18050 Hunter's Oak Court (813) 973-4220 Ages: 6 months old to adult Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $65 for members, $75 for nonmembers Private lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $110 for members, $130 for nonmembers Registration: No fee LaFleur's Little Flipper Swim School 10205 Anderson Road (813) 264-5000 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $116 Private lessons: 15 minutes, eight lessons, $136 Registration: $30 fee Lakeshore Villas 16002 Lakeshore Villa Drive Miss Brenda's Swim School affiliation (813) 235-9433 or www.missbrendaswimschool.com Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 40-minute classes, eight lessons, $100 Private lessons: 15-minute classes, eight lessons, $140 Registration: $35 per family Lexington Oaks 26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd. Miss Brenda's Swim School affiliation (813) 235-9433 or www.missbrendaswimschool.com Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 40-minute classes, 12 classes, $150 Private lessons: 15-minute lessons, eight lessons, $140, 12 lessons, $205 Registration: $35 per family Live Oaks Preserve 20107 Bluff Oak Blvd. SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and older Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Meadow Pointe Community 28245 County Line Road Miss Brenda's Swim School affiliation (813) 235-9433 or www.missbrendaswimschool.com Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 40-minute classes, eight classes, $100 Private lessons: 15-minute lessons, eight lessons, $140 Registration: $35 per family Meadow Pointe Community 28245 County Line Road SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: 1 year old and older Group lessons: 35-minute classes, eight lessons, $112, up to six students Private lessons: None Registration: $40 fee Meadow Pointe III 1300 Meadow Point Blvd. SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: 1 year old and older Group lessons: 35-minute classes, eight lessons, $112, up to six students Private lessons: None Registration: $40 fee Miss Brenda's Swim School Private home lessons available in Westchase Miss Brenda's Swim School affiliation (813) 235-9433 or www.missbrendaswimschool.com Ages: 6 months to adult Private lessons: 15-minute lessons, eight lessons, $165 Registration: $35 per family Heated pools only New Tampa Family YMCA 16221 Compton Drive (813) 866-9622 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 30-minute classes for infants for four lessons, $27.50 for facility members, $37.50 for program participants; 45-minute classes for children, eight lessons, $55 for facility members, $75 for program participants; 45-minute classes for students 13 and older, four lessons, $27.50 for facility members, $37.50 for program participants Private lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $100 for facility members, $150 for program participants. Single lessons, $15 for facility members, $24 for program participants Registration: $60 annual fee for program participants Northwest Hillsborough YMCA 8950 W Waters Ave. (813) 249-8510 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: Weekday and Saturday sessions available. Cost varies by membership, age and schedule. Private lessons: 30-minute classes for Ages 12 and older, one lesson, $20 for facility members, $30 for program participants; three lessons, $50 for members, $75 for program participants Registration: $60 annual fee for program participants Pebble Creek Community Pool 18715 Bent Tree Lane SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and older Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex 6610 E Whiteway Drive (813) 989-7180 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: One-hour classes, 8 lessons, $28 for members, $42 for nonmembers Private lessons: None Registration: No fee West Meadows Community Pool 8401 New Tampa Blvd. SwimKids USA affiliation (813) 891-9797 or www.swimkidsusa.com Ages: children 1 year old and up Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $125 Private lessons: none Registration: $40 Water Wellness 429 Loch Devon Drive (813) 948-3080 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 30-minute class, eight-lessons $136 Two-person lessons: 30-minute, eight lessons $160 Private lesson: 30-minute, $176 Registration: $20 Westchase Swim & Tennis Center 10405 Countryway Blvd. (813) 855-0662 Ages: 6 months to adult Group lessons: 30-minute classes, eight lessons, $80 for residents, $120 for nonresidents Private lessons: 30-minute classes, $25 per class for residents, $37.50 for nonresidents Registration: No fee; residents have priority
[Last modified April 27, 2006, 13:14:21]
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