Getting along swimmingly

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      As the warm summer months approach, Henderson residents of all ages are flocking to the city's public pools in order to register for swimming lessons and water-safety courses.
      The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department offers instruction for children as young as 6 months when accompanied in the pool by a parent. More advanced youth instruction, as well as adult and private swimming lessons, are also offered at pools throughout the city.
      While courses are available for swimmers of differing experience levels, the lessons have become particularly popular among parents with young children. With registration fees generally in the $12 to $18 range, the lessons offer adults an affordable form of life insurance for their children.
      "We want to see the drowning rate drop, and getting children to learn to swim at a young age is the best way to make sure they'll be safe going in the water at Lake Mead or in a backyard pool when they get older," said Sue White, aquatics coordinator for the parks department.
      Since coming to Henderson about 20 months ago, White said she has tried to increase the department's number of water-safety classes in order to reach as many people as possible. Its aquatics education program -- simply titled "Learn to Swim" -- has been conducting spring classes since late April at the Lorin L. Williams Indoor Pool. Summer session courses are scheduled to begin June 19.
      Each 40-minute course is taught by a certified water-safety instructor and follows procedures outlined by the American Red Cross. At different times throughout the year, specialized classes are also offered in subjects such as diving, lifeguard training, water safety and in-pool aerobics.
      White said the onset of summer tends to kick off a busy period in almost every kind of swimming instruction.
      "As soon as we start offering classes in April, the numbers go up," White said. "Everybody wants to get ready for summer."
      Classes at some of the city's more popular facilities such as the Silver Springs Recreation Center usually fill up quickly, although there is still time to sign up for instruction in the coming weeks.
      White said the department is constantly seeking new recruits ages 17 and older who are interested in teaching lifeguard and water-safety courses, especially as demands for such teachers increase during summertime.
      "We've trained hundreds of new instructors since December, but we always need more," White said. "Last year we turned away 50 percent of the people who wanted to take some of our courses because we just couldn't find enough instructors to offer more classes."
      One of those young instructors is Chris Byrd, who started swimming at the Williams Pool as a 10-year-old. Now 18, the Basic High School senior spends much of his time working as a lifeguard and water-safety instructor at the facility. He said the job is a great way for teens to earn money while performing a vital community service.
      "I'm always trying to get my friends to be lifeguards," Byrd said. "It's a fun job, and we offer a lot of great programs that can teach kids how to be safe around water."Henderson pool information
      The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department currently operates five pool facilities.
      Each pool is open to the public and offers recreational swimming time. Fees are based on the patron's age, but generally range from $1 to $3 per day.
      The Lorin L. Williams Indoor Pool offers 25-yard competition lanes, an observation area and a 3-meter diving stand. It is located next to Basic High School at 500 N. Palo Verde Drive.
      Outdoor swimming facilities can also be found at the BMI Pool & Youth Center Park, 105 W. Basic Road; the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway; and at Wells Park, 1629 Moser Drive.
      For those seeking expanded water-based fun, the Black Mountain Aquatic Complex at 599 Greenway Road includes a three-loop slide, water play equipment and a beach-like, zero-depth pool entry.
      Future swimming facilities are also planned for the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, scheduled to debut in August, and the Green Valley Ranch Multigenerational Center, opening in 2002.
      Those interested can call the parks department's Aquatics Office at 565-2123.