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Kids get their kicks in the pool

Sussex Family YMCA hosts 11th annual Water Safety Week
Ameila Robertson, left, participates in poolside activities with swim team volunteers Gabi and Luke Robertson during the week of water safety classes. BY DAN COOK
Dan Cook
April 8, 2016
Jeraniah Jackson practices her kicks on the side of the YMCA pool. BY DAN COOK
Juelle Finney is all smiles on her pool noodle while volunteer Tracey Condon-Kneifl looks on. BY DAN COOK
Teagan Kneifl practices floating during her half hour lesson. BY DAN COOK
Heaven Coleman hangs on as she exits the pool. BY DAN COOK
Young swimmers and volunteers alike enjoyed the lessons. BY DAN COOK
Jeraniah Jackson makes her own fountain. BY DAN COOK
Swimmer Chase Burns plays with volunteer Georgia Spade. BY DAN COOK
Swimmer Kage Wilke gets floating assistance from volunteer Deborah Minifie. BY DAN COOK
YMCA aquatics coordinator Lydia Schmierer, right, and volunteer John Zinsmeister assist Kage Wilke with his entry into the pool. BY DAN COOK

Nearly 550 children got into the swim as Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach hosted its 11th annual Water Safety Week March 28-April 1.

Free to the public, the week of water safety and swimming lessons came during spring break for many area children. Classes met for half an hour each day for swimmers from 18 months through 13 years old. The event was sponsored by Beebe Healthcare.

Little swimmers ages 18 months to 3 years were taught floating, kicking, arm strokes, breath control and safe entry and exit of pool.

Swimmers ages 3 to 5 were taught skills including breath control, floating, kicking, jumping, rhythmic arm movement and water safety.

For ages 6 to 10 years and 11 to 13 years, participants learned water adjustment, breath control, front crawl, back crawl and basic water safety.

The YMCA also offers free open water safety courses at Lewes Beach in the summer on three Saturdays, June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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