Taking the big splash
The Honolulu Advertiser is featuring a series of "start-up" articles for readers who are interested in learning the rudiments of popular Island outdoor activities.
The Advertiser has featured, or will feature, instructional stories on surfing, hunting and sailing.
Also in the coming weeks, The Advertiser will begin a series of "sign-up" articles for those interested in joining a social or recreational activity. Stories will include hiking, biking and running/walking.
If you would like to suggest an article, call Brandon Masuoka at 535-2458 or e-mail bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
In the old days, many swimming lessons amounted to sink-or-swim sessions.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"That's how my parents learned to swim," said Debbie Victor, a YMCA youth director who teaches swimming. "That's how we learned with our peers."
Valeria Okada, an instructor at the Central YMCA, provides a lift for Ryotaro Kaneshige during a swimming lesson.
Today, swimming lessons are geared for enjoyment and safety, and are taught by veteran instructors such as Victor who has 20 years of experience. Last year, Victor and her fellow YMCA instructors eased thousands of children into the water and taught them swimming.
Victor said only one-third of Hawai'i's population knows how to swim.
"I think it's very important for kids to learn swimming," she said. "We live on an island surrounded by water. For someone to not know or not feel comfortable in the water can be a concern."
Swimming has many advantages for children and allows them to develop physical fitness, social skills, self-esteem and gives them a productive outlet, said Dennis Chai, associate professor of kinesiology and leisure science at the University of Hawai'i.
"There's tremendous benefits to learning how to swim," Chai said. "I would recommend every parent to take their child to swim class."
Victor said swimming is a great cardiovascular and impact-free workout. She also said swimming is great for children with asthma.
"They have to regulate their breathing, and in order to do that, they have to learn how to blow and hold their breath, which helps work out their lungs," Victor said. "I had a couple of kids where their doctor recommended that they swim because they had asthma. When they started swimming, they had less asthma attacks as when they didn't swim."
Victor said many parents don't know how to swim and want their children to learn. She said parents fear that they would be helpless if their child ran into water trouble and didn't know how to swim.
Victor said the YMCA starts beginning swimmers on instructional flotation devices and then weens the children off the devices as they get more proficient. The YMCA offers 10 45-minute swimming lessons at $80, she said.
The busiest seasons for swim instructors are summer and fall, followed by spring and winter, Victor said.
One of the goals of the YMCA swimming program is to keep children entertained in the water, Victor said.
"Hopefully, they will become our swim instructors and our directors for the future," Victor said. "If I can get them comfortable in the water, it can become a great environment for them to enjoy."
WHERE TO JUMP IN
The following are some of the organizations on O'ahu that offer swimming lessons:
• Aloha Aquatics Center
Site: 5722 Kalaniana'ole Highway (in Niu Valley Shopping Center)
Information: 377-8841
• Leahi Swim School
Site: St. Francis School
Information: 735-1666
• Nancy Wilcox Swim School
Site: Private residence
Information: 395-7439 (828 Hahaione St., Honolulu, HI 96825)
• The O'ahu Club
Site: 6800 Hawai'i Kai Drive.
Information: 395-3300
• Patricia Lancaster Swim School
Site: Private residence
Information: 261-1982
• Swim Hawai'i
Site: La Pietra School
Information: 734-3430
• University of Hawai'i Swimming Program
Site: Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex (UH-Manoa)
Information: 951-5379 or 956-7510
• YMCA of Honolulu
Site: Various locations
Information: 541-5400
• YWCA of Honolulu
Site: Various locations
Information: 538-7061
