Southeast Ventura County YMCA Branches Teach Water Safety During Kids' Swim Lessons

May 28, 2010 - PRLog -- THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.--With summer almost here comes sobering statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, citing that an average 485 pool or spa-related deaths occur each year involving children under age 15. The four branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA (Conejo Valley YMCA, Miller Family YMCA, Simi Valley Family YMCA and Triunfo YMCA) are offering swim classes for children beginning June 14.

   The YMCA method of teaching has been in place for more than a century. The program teaches children to be safe around water while giving them a sense of accomplishment that comes with learning a new skill. The classes are progressive, with each class building on the class before. "It's a student- centered teaching approach set in a positive, caring environment," says Ryan Batchelor, aquatics and youth programs director at the Miller Family YMCA (serving Newbury Park).

   Classes take place in the heated indoor pools and Miller, Simi and Conejo YMCAs and in the Agoura High School pool (Triunfo YMCA).

   Classes are for children as young as 6 months (parent/tot class) where they learn to have fun and be comfortable in the water, to age six and older where they fine-tune swim strokes and breathing techniques. "We offer eight swim class levels so children can move forward at their own pace," Jenna Grossman, aquatics program director at Triunfo YMCA.

   Each YMCA program also has its own swim team. The Triunfo Otters, Miller Gold Manta Rays, Simi Sting Rays and Conejo Sharks have openings for all ages and skill levels. The teams compete in league competition. The Conejo Sharks recently took first place at the Channel Island Swim League spring championship, its third consecutive championship title.

   For more information summer swim classes and swim teams, contact the nearest YMCA or go to www.sevymca.org, Miller Family YMCA (serving Newbury Park), 805-480-0309, Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Santa Rosa Valley), 805-523-7613, Simi Valley Family YMCA, 805-583-5338 and Triunfo YMCA (serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park), 818-707-9622.