We are in the dog days of summer, and they call it that because the days are long and the sun is hot. The best relief for most is water and for a generation now children have been finding relief in swimming classes offered by the YMCA. This year is no different and for its 13th year, more than a hundred children are learning how to swim and Keith Swift found out more.
Keith Swift Reporting,
There were moments of fear and fun in the Princess Hotel's pool where 120 children like this small but determined three year old are spending the hot days of their summer.
And more than just jumping around in the pool these children ranging in ages from as young as three to their early teens are learning the fundamentals of the art of swimming.
Xiomara Lanza, Swimming Instructor
"We're teaching them how to swim and at every level they learn something new. The pollywogs are from ages 3 to 5 and they are learning how to get used to the water, duck their heads in, front float and bad float. The guppies from 6 to 7 and as the ages progress they learn more like the front glide and back glide. In every level they learn a new stroke as in the front crawl and the back crawl. When they are at the highest level which is shark they are supposed to know all the strokes and know how to handle themselves in the water."
And to make sure they do, Xiomara Lanza is leading a team of 15 volunteer trainers. The trainers say being in an Olympic size pool all day may look like the easiest summer job but kids and water is a recipe for fear and then the fun.
Keith Swift,
What is the biggest fear kids have about swimming and being in a pool?
Xiomara Lanza, Swimming Instructor
"That they will drown. Their biggest problem is putting their heads under the water for the same reason because they think they will drown but our job is to let them know that they are safe and we will be here until eventually we can let them go."
"The volunteers are very good with them. It takes a lot of patience and convincing to be with them especially at age 3 but after a while as you notice they are all in the water now. Last week we had like a whole lot of them trying to not get into the water."
This is the thirteenth annual swimming camp sponsored by the Young Men's Christian Association. Program Coordinator Kenrick Williams says there are many reasons why they need to keep the program alive.
Kenrick Williams, YMCA
"We focus on a theme which is building our community in spirit, mind, and body and this is where our swimming program comes in. We know that a lot of Belizean kids don't know how to swim. We have our oceans and seas out there and we are so much water based and a lot of people don't know how to swim so this is where we come in to do our program. We make an effort every year to do this program. It is the second year we have doing it at the Princess since the Pickwick Club has been renovating and we thank the Princess for that."
And for proof of the swimming camp's success you need only look at the volunteers like head instructor Xiomara who learnt to swim in these very classes a summer not so long ago. So for Xiomara the reward is in giving back.
Xiomara Lanza, Swimming Instructor
"That's our reward; the instructor's reward is that we transform them so it shows what we did in our time and it was worth it."
So while these kids may not become Olympian swimmers for most it will have been a memorable experience; one they remember long enough to someday give back like these volunteers.
Registration for the August session of the swimming class is still open. The fee is $50 and you can sign up at the YMCA's head office on Faber's road. The second session begins on Tuesday August 3rd.