'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