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Aquatics Newsletter | August 2013 | VBgov.com/Parks
Surf, Sand (& Smiles!) 

 

Surf-n-Fun
This summer marked the 7th year of 
Surf-n-Fun, a surf program for individuals with various disabilities. Surfers experienced the thrill of riding a wave and, for some, being in the ocean for the first time. Our instructors, along with volunteers, teamed up to provide each surfer with a 30-minute session in the water. 
 
Whether they rode in on their stomach, kneeled or conquered the surfer stance, everyone enjoyed their time in the water and on the board. View more photos of the participants on Flickr

 

To learn more about Therapeutic Recreation Programs, visit VBgov.com/TR  

Connect with Us!

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Register Now for the Newest Classes

catalogOur Fall Programs & Activities Catalog is now available online! Check out what we've got in store for you and your family, including:

- Swim & Springboard Dive Clinics
- Water Polo Clinics
- Winter Swim League
- Women's Surf Clinic 
 
Sign up for these classes and more online with EZreg or in person at any recreation center.
Swim Tip: Flip Turns

 

Tips

For a faster and tighter flip turn, try to keep your chin tucked in and roll your shoulders forward. The black "T" on the bottom of the pool is a guide indicating when to initiate the flip. Just as the backstroke employs a stroke count from the flags to the wall, so does the freestyle turn from the top of the "T" to the wall.  To figure out your stroke count, just count each time your arms enter the water to pull, from the top of the "T" to the wall and then subtract one from that number to get your best position in the water for a flip. Also take note that stroke count changes with speed.

 

Winter Swim League Wants YOU!

 

Swim League Calling all swimmers ages 6 to 17! We know what you're thinking - "summer's not even over yet!" We don't want summer to end too quickly either, but spaces for our Winter Swim League are filling up fast. So, don't delay!  

 

New to the winter swim league? Our intramural Winter Swim League emphasizes swimmer development in a low-key, competitive environment. Each team swims regular season and championship meets during a season that runs from November to February. Teams practice twice a week under the direction of experienced coaches, building competence in each of the four competitive strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly) as well as learning starts and turns.

 

Please note Bow Creek's team will be practicing at Great Neck Recreation Center while Bow Creek undergoes renovation.

 

Register at any recreation center or online via EZreg

Five Tips for Healthy Swimming

 

Indoor Pool Have you heard the term "RWI" and found yourself wondering what it meant? RWI stands for Recreational Water Illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RWIs are caused by germs and chemicals found in bodies of water such as swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, lakes, rivers and oceans and are spread by swallowing, breathing in, or having contact with contaminated water. 

 

By following these five simple tips, you can ensure your swimming experience is healthy and free of RWIs: 

  1. Don't swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth. 
  2. Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming, and wash your hands after using the restroom or changing diapers. 
  3. Don't swim when you have diarrhea; you can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
  4. Take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes or check diapers every 30-60 minutes. Change diapers in the bathroom or diaper-changing area and not poolside where germs can rinse into the water.
  5. Get educated and educate others on RWIs.

 

You can feel at ease knowing that Virginia Beach city pools take preventative measures to guarantee a healthy and safe swimming environment for all. 

  • Per Health Department regulations, swimmers should shower before entering the pool. 
  • Chemical levels are maintained at: Chlorine 2.0-3.0 pH 7.2-7.8 
  • Bathing suits are required. No short pants (cut-off or hemmed), leotards, t-shirts, or street clothing are permitted in the pool. This enables the filters to maintain a level of efficiency when filtering the water and prevents any additional body perspiration from entering the water through clothing. 
  • All non-potty trained children are required to wear tight-fitted swim pants over their swim diapers. This preventive measure provides an additional barrier and helps reduce the number of accidental fecal incidents that enter the water. 
  • Any pool incidents which contaminate the water will close the pool for an hour to 24 hours until the water chemistry has returned to an acceptable level. 

 

By following these steps, you can help promote and encourage a healthy swimming environment for all. For more information on RWIs, visit CDC.gov.  

Meet Kaitlyn Waldman
 
A familiar face for those of you that swim at Williams Farm Recreation Center, Kaitlyn Waldman was recently selected to participate in a pilot program that prepares part-time staff members for career advancement opportunities. She's taken on the challenge of educating patrons about Recreational Water Illnesses, assisting students in swimming lessons, and running birthday parties and special events on the sprayground - including our Beach Party last month! 

As part of the program, she also offers specialized training for lifeguards to perform rescues in and around the features unique to Williams Farm, such as the extreme shallow water at the zero-depth entry and the moving water at the Aquatrack and slide.

We're so grateful to have Kaitlyn on deck with us. Be sure to stop by the pool and say hello!
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project

 

All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers, Owl Creek Tennis Center and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 for Labor Day. Parks will be open.

 

Bayside Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, September 9 through Sunday, September 15. The pool will remain closed through Sunday, September 22.

 

Williams Farm Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, September 23 through Sunday, September 29. The pool will remain closed through Sunday, October 6.

  

Don't forget that your membership is good at all Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child requires additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.
We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at [email protected].
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Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.