LIHU‘E — Nursery rhymes like “London Bridge” and “Ring A Rosie” took on new meaning for beginning swimmers Monday, the first day of instruction for the Mokihana Aquatics Learn to Swim summer program. The rhymes were used to teach the
LIHU‘E — Nursery rhymes like “London Bridge” and “Ring A Rosie” took on new meaning for beginning swimmers Monday, the first day of instruction for the Mokihana Aquatics Learn to Swim summer program.
The rhymes were used to teach the young swimmers, some as young as only months old, how to breathe. Mokihana Aquatics coach Orlando “O” Anaya got help from more experienced Mokihana Aquatics swimmers in helping the novice swimmers at the sold-out class.
Anaya said due to popular demand, two additional Infant and Preschool Aquatics Programs have been added to its summer schedule.
The IPAP consists of two different classes: ‘Ohana-Keiki for newborn to 35 months where a family member, or care provider, is in the water with the infant, and Tiny Tots, for youngsters 3 and 4 years old.
The Tiny Tots program is a one-on-one, very specialized and individualized program, states a Mokihana release.
“We opened 24 Tiny Tots spots for this summer and the classes filled within a 24-hour period,” Anaya said. “Due to this demand, we added 16 additional spots.”
Monday’s opening class involved getting the new swimmers comfortable in the water and learning how to breathe. Parents listened carefully for helpful information and tidbits provided by Anaya.
Some of those tips included how to get an infant comfortable with water, how long before needing to get the child out of the water and more.
Anaya said in addition to the classes, Mokihana Aquatics is offering a free summer swim league for all Kaua‘i swimmers who can swim one length of the pool and are able to attend all 14 sessions. The league is available only at the Kaua‘i High School pool.
The summer swim league days and times are on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. for swimmers 8 years old and younger and 5 to 6:30 p.m. for all other swimmers.
The summer league concludes with the 5th annual USA Swimming Splash Dash on July 21, or more affectionately labelled the Lollipop Meet where swimmers earn lollipops instead of ribbons.
Anaya said the Mokihana Aquatics Learn to Swim is one of the most comprehensive courses in the state and is the only Learn to Swim program which incorporates ocean safety as a component of learning how to swim.
Water safety officers at the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau have long advocated learning how to swim as a key component in staying safe in water, whether it be pool or ocean.
Visit www.mokihanaaquatics.com, or call Anaya at 821-0587 for more information.
