Aquatics

There are several types of aquatics classes offered from PEAP.

• Beginner
  • This stroke technique and water safety class is designed to introduce the lifetime activity of swimming and water safety to those who have no swimming skills, a fear of water, or are very weak swimmers, particularly in deep water. It is considered to be an entry level class for non-swimmers. The student will learn the basics of hydrodynamics such as floating, gliding, breath control and how to overcome their fear of the water.
  • Taught in a shallow water pool, the following additional skills will be introduced: front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, open turns, understeer swimming, and treading.  Personal water safety and numerous methods of basic rescue skills will also be taught.
• Intermediate
  • Students who already have some swimming skills and are comfortable in deep water but want to become more efficient, technically correct swimmers would benefit from taking this more advanced stroke technique and water safety class. The student will become proficient in the following skills: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke, flip turns, water entries, surface dives, underwater swimming, treading, and basic rescue techniques. This is an excellent class to take in preparation for Conditioning Swim, Lifeguarding, triathlon training or to begin one’s quest for using swimming as a method of cross training for fitness. This class will provide moderate yardage, but is based on the principles of providing skill instruction, demonstration, skill drills, and constructive feedback for each skill presented.
• Conditioning
  • Swimming for fitness and using swimming for cross training is becoming more and more popular! From continuing one’s training from high school or age group swim teams to learning to prepare for the swim portion of triathlons, to finding an alternative to pounding the pavement running, Conditioning Swim can fill the bill! Although not a stroke technique class, students are instructed in methods of aerobic and anaerobic training, and the use of a variety of training equipment used in swimming.
  • This fitness based class provides numerous swim workouts designed to train for the three criterion-based skills tests:  100 yd. Freestyle sprint, 12 Minute Freestyle Swim, and 1000 yd. freestyle swim. This class does have a pre-requisite:  the student must be able to swim at least 500 yards freestyle in food form in 12 minutes without using flip turns. (Good form is defined as having face in the water, using a continuous overarm stroke, and rhythmic breathing, while progressing through the water smoothly.)
• Water Aerobics
  • This class is a great opportunity for swimmers and non-swimmers alike to engage in aquatic fitness, incorporating rhythmic aerobic type of movements as well as stretching and strength training exercises using a variety of different training equipment.  This well-rounded fitness class is taught in a shallow water pool and is usually performed to music. Students are taught the basic “moves” of water aerobics, resistance based exercises, shallow water jogging, and may be exposed to deep water exercise and deep water jogging using flotation belts. No previous experience or aquatic expertise is required for this class and individuals of all levels of fitness will be successful in this class. It is an excellent opportunity to learn an alternative to land-based fitness activities, as well as an outstanding method of cross-training.
• LifeSaving
  • Looking for a great summer job as a lifeguard? This class provides the opportunity to become an American Red Cross certified Lifeguard. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will be certified in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for Lifeguards (the equivalent of CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer). This class is offered in a blended learning format with the majority of the cognitive portion being completed on line and all skills instruction and testing being done face to face. The students will learn all required skills, including scanning techniques, emergency recognition, appropriate strokes, water entries, basic rescue skills, water rescue skills, carries, spinal management, obstructed airway (conscious and unconscious) rescue breathing, CPR/AED (adult, child, and infant), and basic first aid skills.
  • The pre-requisite for this class is as follows: 300 yard continuous swim in good form (first 100 is freestyle, second 100 is breaststroke, and third 100 is choice of freestyle or breaststroke), two minute tread without the use of hands, and a timed event (swim 20 yards, retrieve 10 pound brick from 7-10 ft. of water, swim back to starting point with both hands holding brick and keeping face out of the water, and exit the water in less than 1 minute and 40 seconds). This class is taught by certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors.
• SCUBA