Activity Focus: Swimming

Jill Munro has been in aquatics for 18 years, and has been the Aquatics Supervisor at YWCA Vancouver for the past 3 years. She has loved the water since she was a Splashdown Park tower guard at 13 yrs old, so we figured there was no better person to speak to about getting your feet wet.

How easy is it to start if you have never tried swimming before?

It’s super easy! The Red Cross system is great for kids. Trainers at YWCA have “Sea Hiker” qualifications, and I think that’s a better program for adults. The most important thing is that you have to get set up with something you are having fun doing, and then you will get results.

What would a beginner find challenging?

If you are just trying to keep your head above water, that might be the biggest fear you have to face. It also depends on what program you are looking into. In our swimming “sensational freestyle” program, the instructors guarantee that you will swim 200m after 8 sessions. If you can’t they will take personal time out to help you.

If you choose aqua fitness, you can start with absolutely zero prior level of fitness. For those of you who are shy or self-conscious, this kind of exercise is perfect because you aren’t being watched and you can’t really see what your neighbour is doing.

Aqua fit is a great solution if you are desperate to work out but have an injury. And I recommend Aqua light for seniors, especially those with arthritis.

What kind of workout does it give your body?

Swimming is an overall workout: core, back legs and hamstrings – it uses all your major muscle groups. It will also give you a cardiovascular workout. Aqua fit is also a full body workout and the best part is it has minimal impact.

What kind of equipment would you need to get started?

You will need a bathing suit, goggles, swim caps, nose plugs and water bottle. Most other equipment is usually supplied at the pool, like swim fins, kick board, pull boy, aqua fit, water dumbbells, balls, aqua gym sticks. Now you even get web gloves for aqua fit. There are lots of toys!

What are the costs involved?

At the Vancouver YWCA we have a membership fee and all aqua fit classes are included in membership. Drop in is $18 for adults.

We are on the high end of the scale because our equipment is updated every six months and 90% of our members are corporate. At other community centers across the country drop in fees usually vary between $3-8 for drop in passes. Or community centers have 10 or 20 ticket packages, which makes it cheaper.

This post is a repeat, but look forward to more original content to come in the future.