Learning to swim also way to beat summer heat

LIHU‘E — There are just a few more spots available in the keiki/parent and tiny tots swim program, said Mokihana Aquatics coach Orlando “Coach O” Anaya.

“Those two programs are really popular and classes have already been filled for the second session,” Anaya said. “But there are a few spots available in the third and fourth sessions.”

The tiny tots and parent/keiki sessions are usually held in the heat of the day because of the warmer conditions, Anaya said. It is one of several swim classes being offered by Mokihana Aquatics.

“With the days getting so warm, the classes are filling up,” Anaya said. “Kaua‘i, being surrounded by water, just loves the water and kids and adults need to learn to swim so they can enjoy the warm summer days and water.”

In addition to the tiny tots program which Anaya describes as a preparatory course, Mokihana Aquatics offers classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced swimmers.

Anaya said the tiny tots program prepares young swimmers between 3 and 4 years old for the beginners class in which swimmers need to take a test before advancing to the next level.

“On the average, a non-swimmer needs at least three sessions before advancing, but participants in the tiny tots, or the parent/keiki program have a high rate of passing, usually about 90 percent after just one class,” Anaya said.

The introductory class seeks to make swimmers comfortable in the water and includes safe exits and entries into the water as well as beginner strokes, jumping into deep water and floating.

Additionally, Mokihana Aquatics, in cooperation with USA Swimming and the County of Kaua‘i, is also offering a Summer Swim League at the Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i High School and Waimea locations, Anaya said.

“The Summer Swim League is an introduction to competitive team swimming,” Anaya said.

“Swimmers interested in this program need to know how to swim. This is not an introductory swimming course. This is intended to get swimmers exposed to competitive swimming.”

Classes for the summer league meet Tuesdays and Thursdays between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Kapa‘a swimming pool, the Kaua‘i High School pool, and the Waimea swimming pool.

Anaya said most of the classes meet for two weeks, with the final programs starting around July 15 and ending by July 31. An after-school program will coincide with the start of school and finish in October.

All of the classes are manned by certified instructors and swim aides, most of them being Mokihana Aquatics swimmers.

“These swimmers gave up their spring break to become certified,” Anaya said. “They spent about 100 hours doing class work, taking exams and working to get certification just so they can volunteer during the summer.”

The swim crew has training and certification in first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for professional rescue, and water safety instruction, Anaya said.

For more information, call 821-0587.

• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.