In the last couple articles about the Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre, we have talked about the learn to swim program in its many facets, but once a person learns to swim, what do they do with it?
There are a number of options open to the swimmers at the facility. Some of those remain in the general area of swimming and water safety, but others involve different activities and sports. We'll look at some of those in this article.
A very important component of the training available at the pool is the leadership training that takes place to help meet future staffing needs both here and at pools in the surrounding areas. The Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard and Lifeguard courses are taught on a regular basis. The Red Cross Assistant Water Safety Instructor and Red Cross Water Safety Instructor courses are presented annually to prepare future leaders, young and old, to take their place in the teaching of water safety and swimming to others.
The Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre offers a number of fitness classes throughout the year and these will be the focus of another article. However, it is important to mention to those who may be interested in becoming fitness instructors that the Aquatic Centre annually offers a number of Fitness Instructor Training Courses in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. These focus on fitness theory, aquatic fitness, group fitness and working with seniors in training for fitness. The staff will be pleased to provide further information if you are interested.
Many of the fitness classes are drop-in classes, but Deep Power, Aquatic Tether and Hydro Spin require registration. The schedule of classes is available at the Aquatic Centre or can be viewed on the City website. Registration for these fall classes is now open as mentioned above for the swim lessons.
Beyond these lessons, the Aquatic Centre offers a number of other instructional programs. The centre operates a variety of fitness programs for all segments of the community at times designed to fit the schedules of the busy participants. There are instructional programs in water polo, canoeing and kayaking and underwater hockey run by the staff of the pool. Further to that, the Aquatics Centre is home to the North Battleford Water Doves Synchronized Swim Club, which offers instruction and coaching. The North Battleford Kinsmen Orcas Swim Club provides instruction and coaching in competitive (speed) swimming and the Battlefords Scuba Community, which offers instruction in snorkel and scuba diving as well as the more advanced techniques of specialized diving. Those clubs can be contacted directly for information on their programs and the costs.
There is plenty going on at the Aquatic Centre and that this activity includes lots of instruction for all ages and a wide variety of interest areas. The staff is willing to broaden the offering if there is a program that you feel is missing and that would be supported by others in the community. Such expansion is a matter of discussing the need and the possible resources with the senior staff at the facility. The door is always open and ideas are welcome.
The Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre is a local and regional centre for aquatic learning. Why not become part of the growing family? Come get wet with us! For more information call 306-445-1745 or visit our website at www.cityofnorthbattleford.ca and follow the links to the CUPlex under city services.
