SUMMER RECREATION: Splash in at any age

Pools offer classes and lessons for everyone from advanced to first-time swimmers

Craig L. Moran/VIEWLifeguard Sarah Guerrero conducts a morning water aerobics class in the Desert Breeze indoor pool. Craig L. Moran/VIEWCarol Paoli and Bea Braden share a laugh during a morning water aerobics class at the Desert Breeze indoor pool, 8275 Spring Mountain Road. Craig L. Moran/VIEWWater aerobics participants get ready to work out in the Desert Breeze indoor pool. The pool offers adult swim lessons in group and private settings.

For seniors in the Las Vegas Valley, swimming can be a great way to stay in shape and meet new friends. Local recreation centers offer courses to teach you how, and water-based exercise classes can help you reach your goals.

In the southwest and Spring Valley area, the Desert Breeze indoor pool, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, offers adult swim lessons, in group and private settings. Private lessons cost $25 for 30 minutes. Group courses last about 45 minutes and cost around $26 per session.

To swim, seniors need to bring a swimsuit and towel to the pool. Goggles are optional.

In addition to swimming lessons, centers also offer water-based exercise classes, including water aerobics in four-week sessions. From 9 to 10 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, there is a high-endurance class that costs $25 for the whole series. On the same days from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., there is low-endurance course that costs $23 for the four weeks.

From 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays there is an aerobics class that costs $17 for the whole session. Drop-in classes cost $3 each.

Classes focus on whole-body movement, including kicking, walking and stretching. They are not recommended for those recovering from knee injuries.

"Our afternoon class really needs some participation," Dave Castle, recreation specialist for Clark County, said.

Sarah Guerrero, a lifeguard at the Desert Breeze Aquatic facility, taught a water-based exercise class to three men and 15 women. The group members used water dumbbells to work their arms. Guerrero explained the difference between completing a move correctly and not, then demonstrated for the class.

"When you pulse, you're not doing anything," she said.

The permanent smell of chlorine was stuck in the humid air inside the facility while the students switched to using water noodles for stretching exercises.

"It's good for your health," said Carol Paoli, 68. "It keeps you young."

Paoli comes to the pool five days a week, and when she's not participating in a class, she completes exercises on her own.

"It's not so much of a strain on your body," she said.

While students stretch to the left then to the right, Guerrero encouraged the crowd to keep going.

"They make me challenge them," Guerrero, 19, said.

Rikki Hicks, 60, comes to the classes because he wants to get back in shape. He survived prostate cancer and two back surgeries.

Since joining the swimming classes, Hicks has lost 30 pounds.

"It's fun working out when you're working out together," Hicks said.

Castle said swimming is a great exercise option for adults, because there is less resistance in water, so there is less stress on the body.

Another place for seniors to check out are the YMCAs around town. The Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane; Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive; and the Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, offer swim lessons for adults.

Adult group swimming lessons are offered at the Heinrich location from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Saturdays. Cost is $48 for YMCA members or $95 for nonmembers. Exercise classes offered at the Heinrich location are: water walking, water fitness, arthritis splash, post stroke aquatics and aquafit. All classes are scheduled between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 877-9622.

The Durango Hills Community Center offers private lessons in an outdoor pool. The cost is $32 for one lesson, $85 for three lessons or $160 for six. For more information, call 240-9622.

Group lessons at the Centennial Hills Community Center are scheduled from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from July 26 to Aug. 19 and Aug. 23 to Sept. 16. Saturday lessons will be scheduled from noon to 12:45 p.m. from Aug. 28 to Oct. 23. Cost is $95 per session. For more information, call 478-9622.

The Cora Coleman Senior Pool, 2100 Bonnie Lane, offers adult swim lessons for beginners in two-week sessions. Cost is $23 per session. Instructors help with overcoming apprehension and basic skills, including floating and swimming underwater. Sessions are scheduled from 8 to 9:15 a.m. on July 19-28, Aug. 2-11 and Aug. 16-25.

Intermediate and advanced lessons also are available for the same price and are designed for adults with basic water experience. Students will focus on stroke work such as front and back crawl, breaststroke and butterfly. Sessions are scheduled from 8 to 9:15 a.m. on July 19-28, Aug. 2-11 and Aug. 16-25.

The Cora Coleman center also offers water exercise classes. There is a mixed endurance and toning course that lasts four weeks and costs $17 for the Tuesday and Thursday session, or $25 for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday session. The ability to swim is not required for this class.

Sessions are scheduled from July 12-Aug. 6 and Aug. 9-Sept. 3. Tuesday and Thursday classes are scheduled from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Monday, Wednesday and Friday courses are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information, call 455-2120.

The Doolittle Pool, 1950 N. J St.; Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool at Freedom Park, 889 N. Pecos Road.; Baker Pool, 1100 E. St. Louis Ave.; Garside Pool, 300 S. Torrey Pines Drive; and Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, offer swim lessons.

Daily fees cost $1.50 for anyone age 50 or older. All-summer pool passes valid through Labor Day cost $30 for an adult age 50 or older.

Each pool offers private, semiprivate and small group swimming lessons. Private lessons cost $100, semiprivate lessons of two or three students cost $50, and group lessons of four or more students cost $25, for six 45-minute lessons.

For more information, call 229-6309.

The city of Henderson offers beginning group adult swimming lessons at the Henderson Multigenerational Indoor Pool, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway; and Whitney Ranch Indoor Pool, 1575 Galleria Drive. For more information, call 267-5870

Private lessons also are offered and include four 30-minute classes with a trained instructor. Lessons are customized and can consist of two participants from the same family enrolled in one lesson for the same price and time. There is no cost to enroll, but if lessons are scheduled, $80 is due prior to instruction. For more information, call Whitney Ranch Indoor Pool at 267-5870 or Heritage Park Aquatic Complex at 267-2980.

Contact View education reporter Laura Emerson at lemerson@viewnews.com or 380-4588.