We know you look forward to getting your catalog of our classes and activities, and we're hoping to make it easier for you to find the programs that you are interested in. We'd like to know how you'd like the information to be displayed in our catalog. If you have three minutes, please take our quick survey. Your feedback will help us improve the layout for future catalogs. Thank you!

Open to youth ages 5-10, Passport to Water Safety emphasizes the development of swimming skills, water exploration and water safety. Participants will be taught 20 minutes of water safety in the classroom, then head to the pool for swimming skills and fun water exploration for the remainder of the lesson. The program is held twice a week for four weeks at Seatack Recreation Center. This class is free, but your child will need a membership or day pass for each lesson. A limited number of spaces are available per session: 

July 9 - August 1 | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10 - 11 am

August 6 - 29 | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6 - 7 pm

For more info and to reserve your child's spot, call Seatack Rec Center at (757) 437-4858.

Click image to view larger

Virginia Beach is heating up and there's nothing like a dip in the ocean to cool down! As we all start heading out to the beach this summer, it's a good time for a reminder on how to stay safe when a rip current is present. 

A rip current is a strong current flowing away from shore, visible as a band of agitated water. They usually form at breaks in sandbars and near structures such as jetties or piers. Rip currents don't actually pull you under the water; they pull you away from shore, sometimes as fast as 8 feet per second. That means rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from the shoreline which is where fear, panic, exhaustion or lack of swimming skills can make for a very dangerous situation.
 
There are clues that a rip current might be present. Look for a channel of choppy water where there is a difference in color, or where sediment is churning. You may also notice a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving out to sea, or even a break in the incoming wave pattern.

Just like a treadmill uses an endless belt on which you can walk or run, a rip current has the same effect. No matter how fast or hard you move on the unstoppable treadmill, you are not able to get anywhere unless you step to the side. If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm so that you conserve energy and think clearly. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. Once you are out of the rip current, swim at an angle back to the shoreline. If you are unable to swim out of the current, float or tread water until the current ends, then begin your swim back to shore.

If you are can't reach the shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help. If you see someone in trouble, first get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, call 9-1-1. Do not swim out to them, because you may become a victim as well. Instead throw something that floats to them and yell instructions on how to escape.  

Rip currents account for 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards. In order to have a fun and safe experience at the beach, know how to swim, remain in an area with lifeguards and be cautious at all times!

As part of our celebration of National Parks & Recreation Month this July, we're offering a Two for Tuesday special for our recreation center members. Each Tuesday in July, members can bring one guest to any recreation center for free! If you already know how much our recreation centers have to offer, this is the perfect time for you to introduce a friend to our amenities and services.

Bring your guest with you to the front desk of the recreation center and they'll be issued a one-day pass. Not yet a member? Learn more!

Our Junior Swim Instructor Mentorship Program is available to youth age 11-16 who have strong swimming skills (exceed Level 4 of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program) and an interest in helping others learn to swim. This mentorship program offers the training and hands-on instruction needed to become an assistant to our Water Safety Instructors. Each participant will work directly with one of our aquatic instructors to review key skills and abilities required of a good instructor, as well as gain exposure to the organization and paperwork needed to conduct swimming lessons. The program is offered in conjunction with a session of Learn-to-Swim classes, so each participant can put their skills and training into practice with an actual class.

Upon completion of the mentorship, youth will be eligible to volunteer for future sessions of the Learn-to-Swim program and build valuable volunteer hours. There are multiple opportunities available at most recreation centers and program hours will be determined based on the availability of the student and instructor. Register online or in person at any recreation center.