Red Cross-certified UMaine Aquatics program to offer swim lessons for all ages
The University of Maine’s New Balance Student Recreation Center has been designated as an American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim facility, making it one of only four organizations in Maine to offer this official skills-based curriculum.
The UMaine Aquatics program joins two other official Learn-to-Swim facilities in Farmington and one in Portland in offering the curriculum approved by the Red Cross to teach specific skills.
“Being a Learn-to-Swim facility holds us to a standard that we must achieve to keep this status,” says Adrianna Del Amo, fitness and aquatics coordinator at the recreation center.
The program offers a variety of options for all ages and ability levels, including both group and private lessons. These are open to both members and nonmembers of UMaine Campus Recreation.
Registration for spring swim lessons opens Monday, Dec. 11.
Group programs, taught by Red Cross-certified water safety instructors and lasting 30 minutes, are offered in two sessions per academic semester. Small class sizes result in higher quality instruction, repetition of skills through practice, and a positive learning experience for participants.
In the spring, group youth lessons will be offered in four-week sessions with lessons twice a week, and in six-week sessions with lessons once a week. Adult group lessons will be taught in four-week sessions with lessons twice a week.
The programs are taught at three different levels for adults, and in three categories for youth: Little Splashers, Pre-School and Learn-to-Swim, which includes four levels.
Private lessons also can be scheduled on an individual basis with choice of instructor. Youth private lessons are 30 minutes long, and adult private lessons are one hour long.
In addition to the skills-based programs, the center offers four adult aquatic fitness programs: Swim Fit, Swim-Ability, In-Deep Aqua and Aqua Burn.
To sign up for lessons, visit the front desk of the New Balance Student Recreation Center, call 581.1082, or register online starting Dec. 11. For more information on all programs offered, including prices, visit the program’s website or email Del Amo at adrianna.delamo@maine.edu.