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SwimAmerica dives into summer fun

Tiffany Tuell

(Updated: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 12:00 AM)

Diving into the great unknown is an everyday experience at the Baker swim complex at Yosemite High School. The pool has been full of swimmers of all ages -- from babies to seniors -- since it opened June 14 under new management by SwimAmerica of Fresno.

Originally the facility was run by a year-round aquatics director paid for through the Yosemite Unified School District budget. The director was in charge of everything from recruiting and training lifeguards to planning and running the summer swim programs.

According to YUSD Superintendent Steve Raupp, when the director left a few years ago, the position was not filled due to budgetary constraints. At that time part-time summer staff was hired to manage the facility but the program was still running at a deficit. More cuts were made, a slight profit was seen, but at the expense of limited hours to the community.

"We talked with several other districts to see how they were managing their summer pool activities," Raupp said. "When we talked with Clovis Unified and Central Unified, we found that they were working with SwimAmerica and had agreements that provided for community access and summer programs.

"We met with SwimAmerica, were able to develop an agreement with them that would allow the pool to be open more hours and be cost neutral to the district. They manage the entire summer operation."

Pool management was taken over by SwimAmerica for the first time this year and owner Laurie Klatt plans to make the most out of the YHS swim complex.

"Our goal is to have the pool open for the community as much as possible and run as many programs for the community from infants and toddlers through seniors," she said. "We're just programming the pool to get multiple groups to use it as much as possible and take advantage of the beautiful facility. It's a great family activity with exercise and health benefits for everyone."

SwimAmerica is running a number of programs including water aerobics, recreational swimming, pool parties and lap swimming. New this year, according to Klatt, is having an open diving board and a new approach to teaching swimming.

"The teaching curriculum is created by American Swimming Coaches Association," Klatt said. "It's a very effective way to learn and have fun."

One such class, "Baby and Me," meets five days a week at the pool. Mothers and fathers introduce their 1- to 2 1/2-year-olds to the wonderful world of water.

Two-year-old Makenzie Sconce made her first splash into the swimming world this summer.

"She's always loved water but never put her head in the water before," said mother Heather Sconce. "It was a shock at first but now she begs to go every day. Seeing other kids with parents helped. She is very excited to go to class and knows the names of all her friends."

Makenzie's class has four other children and their parents. Sconce said the small size is a plus because there's more instruction time.

Alison Starkey and her daughter, Bella, 2, also attend the class.

"Bella loves her swimming lessons and has a great time," Starkey said. "The teachers are very patient and good with the kids and the other parents are very nice."

"Parents should bring their kids to the class because it's great bonding for them and it's a lifetime skill they can learn," said head coach Amy Howard. "It's important because they learn to have a love and respect for water and are learning skills to carry on forever. Once you learn, you never forget it. It's like riding a bicycle."

Sconce said other parents should consider the class not just for bonding but for safety.

"A lot of kids drown each year and the class is a safe environment where kids are learning survival techniques and basics -- it's so important. We will definitely continue next year."

Details: (559) 683-1987.