The key to keeping your head above water is a little thing we like to call treading.
It’s when you move your legs – and sometimes arms – in a rhythmic way that keeps the top half of your body above the water line, allowing you to still breath, which we’ve heard is kind of an essential thing these days. It may take some practice, but don’t worry, you’ll get it. If three- or four-year-old swimmers can do it, we’d say it’s safe to assume you can, too.
The real tricky part is when you try to add another activity to the act of treading. But who doesn’t enjoy a good challenge now and again?
So if you think you can first do the whole treading thing and then play a sport or move to the rhythm of some catchy tunes, then you might want to give the Concord YMCA a call. That’s because the Y is offering a couple of new programs starting next month – and you guessed it – it requires jumping in the pool.
Now to be clear, the addition of water polo and synchronized swimming to the aquatics offerings is intended for children ages 8 to 13, but aquatics director Jennifer Bonnett isn’t about to send away any older kids or even adults if they show interest in the pilot programs. She’ll just have to do a little schedule adjustment.
“If we have a bunch of people who are interested then maybe we can split it up into different groups,” Bonnett said.
It works out perfect because the Y’s swim team, named after everyone’s favorite water dweller, the Sailfish, is on break for six weeks toward the end of the winter and there are some open times for use of the pool. So Bonnett figured why not see if there’s any interest?
“The team takes a big break and we wanted to do something fun,” Bonnett said. “I would love if it was the start of something, but it’s a starter program so I’m going to wait and see.”
Starting March 12, water polo will be held once a week on Thursdays, from 7 to 8 p.m., for six weeks. The basics of the sport will be taught, like learning how to dribble – which we learned is when the ball bounces back and forth between your forearms while you swim. You also can have only one hand on the ball at a time, unless you’re the goalie, and the ball must stay above the water. And you may have guessed, but you’re treading water the whole time as well.
“It’s a fun game; it’s tough and it’s something different for kids to try,” Bonnett said.
Bonnett, who was a synchronized swimmer in her middle school days, said the sport is what would happen if you mixed swimming, dancing and gymnastics. But you don’t have to be good at all of them – although we suggest swimming to be a strong point since you will be spending all of your time in the water.
“They’re treading the whole time and they’re not supposed to touch the bottom,” Bonnett said.
The synchronized swimming program will be Tuesdays, starting March 10, from 7 to 8 p.m., and will also run for six weeks.
“I would love to get a strong group in there,” Bonnett said. “My goal is to end (the program) with a performance.”
Bonnett would like to get things in order for the classes, so if you’d like to sign up, do so by the end of this week, which for our online readers is Feb. 28. And you don’t have to be a member of the Y to get in on the fun.
For more info, contact Bonnett at jbonnett@concordymca.org or call the Concord YMCA at 228-9622.
