When you think of Muskoka summers, fun-filled days spent in, on, and beside our abundant lakes and waterways are likely top of mind. Watersports provide hours of memory-making amusement, making the ability to swim a valuable life skill.
“Healthy active recreation is great for all people and swimming is a really inclusive way to do that,” says Cameron Labonte, Manager of Aquatics for the Town of Huntsville. “Swim lessons are important because as you learn to swim and you get stronger in your swimming ability, you’re able to do activities that may involve a little bit more risk outside of a supervised setting. Swimming at the beach or boating with your friends are all great and fun activities but we encourage people to learn how to swim and wear a lifejacket before participating in those, and here they can do that in a supervised setting where they’re safe and protected.”
After two years of lockdowns that limited access to many activities, swimming is one of the best ways to resume or commit to an active lifestyle. In addition to its health benefits—it’s an all-body workout that builds both strength and flexibility, improves endurance and cardiovascular health, and helps to maintain a healthy weight—it provides social connection as well.
The Town of Huntsville’s aquatic programs offer an accessible and affordable option for all ages to learn or improve their swimming skills.
Registration for spring swim lessons begins on March 14 at huntsville.ca/aquatics and the first class of the season takes place on March 26. All programs run for ten weeks and finish early to mid-June.
“Our main bread and butter is swimming lessons,” notes Labonte. “That is our major focus.”
Building lifelong skills
Swim lessons for ages 0-5 teach children to be comfortable in and under the water and the advanced levels move on to abilities such as staying afloat on their own and maintaining a front crawl.
Swimming lessons for ages six and older include Swimmer Levels 1 to 10, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid, and Bronze Cross. These courses improve swimming ability, teach fast decision-making, and the ability to appropriately respond to aquatic-related emergencies.
Lessons aren’t just for kids
Many adults turn to swim classes for the full-body fitness they provide, and to continually improve their skills. For those who’ve never learned to swim, or who are not confident in the water, adult learn-to-swim classes or private lessons are the perfect opportunity to develop new skills in a safe, supervised setting.
Adult lessons take place Monday to Thursday, from classes for first-timers as well as experienced swimmers looking to improve their form and endurance. Private lessons offer one-on-one attention with an instructor who will cater to the student’s specific needs. “If you’re an adult learning to swim and don’t feel comfortable in a group setting, come in for a private lesson,” Labonte says.
Aqua fitness classes are also on offer once again, Monday to Friday mornings.
Learn a skill, save a life
Always wanted to be a lifeguard? Or looking for a great part-time job that you can use anywhere?
The National Lifeguard Program, a 48-hour crash course that teaches content related to the national lifesaving program and will train students to be employed as a lifeguard in all of Canada, will take place on the weekends of May 6-8 and May 27-29.
“It will teach good life skills as well, in terms of teamwork and communication,” Labonte says. “We work on teaching decisiveness and judgment in lifesaving situations.”
Town staff are also working on reinstating first aid and babysitting courses for the 2022 season.
Water fun for everyone
The lakes may still be frozen over, but don’t let that stop you from having some waterborne fun.
Leisure swims will be offered at the Centennial Pool throughout March break. Look for some fun new equipment, including a volleyball net, as well as old favourites like the slide.
This season, two unique installments are also on the roster: kayak lessons and kayak water polo. Andy Parry, the owner of Muskoka Kayak School will teach students the basics of kayaking, how to roll, and general water safety.
Kayak water polo is “a fun sport played in the water,” Labonte says. “It’s strictly recreational, all skill levels are welcome to come on out and enjoy.”
For more information on the Town of Huntsville’s aquatic programs, visit huntsville.ca/aquatics.
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