Getting in the swim

Eric Leake

Friday, June 24, 2005 | 4:05 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 25-26, 2005

Eight apprehensive and eager children approached the Desert Breeze pool for their first swim lesson recently.

The children ranged in age from 18 months to 3 years. Each held a parent's hand and many waddled toward the water in swim diapers.

Parents reassured them, saying, "You're OK." "Don't worry. Daddy's got you."

The Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility water class for parents and toddlers is one of many municipal pool classes being held this summer to try to prevent more drownings of very young children.

The class includes four sessions over two weeks and emphasizes safety. By the end, children should be more comfortable in water, know basic floating technique and be able to hold their breath under water.

Swim instructor Maryah Anderson began the children's lesson, saying, "Today we're going to get them used to the water."

"It's OK. The water's fine. Come on," she said as she led the class into the pool.

Some children clung to their parents, arms wrapped around the adult's neck. Others, splashing, kicking, even tasting the water, seemed as if they could hardly be happier in the pool.

Aquatic instructors say it is often the older children who are most afraid of the water. The younger have not learned to fear depth.

So it was with the Paniagua boys. Two-year-old Justin was smiling with each underwater dunk by the end of the lesson. His 4-year-old brother, Josh, preferred the solid sidelines.

"He's too old. He's afraid of deep water," Traci Paniagua said of Josh.

Justin "has no fear," she said.

Traci Paniagua and her husband, Mike, said they enrolled their family in the class because they thought it important the boys learn to swim.

The Clark County Health District reported four drownings and 35 near drownings of children 14 years old and younger last year. Of those children, 79 percent where 4 years old or younger.

There were 10 drownings and 32 near drownings in 2003, with 81 percent 4 years old or younger.

Amy Orenic, a program supervisor at Desert Breeze, said safety is often a reason parents enroll their toddlers in the class.

"There are so many backyard pools. Parents want to have their children comfortable and knowing how to swim at an early age," she said.

The course acquaints children with water and teaches floating. Parents must accompany their children to learn how to help their children feel comfortable and secure.

Orenic said the hope is that a child in a bad situation would not panic and would remember to float.

The lessons and confidence, she said, are built upon trust.

The first exercise in one recent lesson taught children to let go as they were passed from parent to instructor and back.

Bonnie Winkleman passed her 2-year-old daughter Tessa to an instructor. Tessa clearly enjoyed it.

She said getting Tessa comfortable in water was one of the reasons she enrolled in the class.

"If they're comfortable with water, you can teach them safety," she said. "If they're fearful, that's more dangerous."

The challenge, Winkleman said, was establishing the appropriate level of independence in the water so children are comfortable but realize they still need supervision.

Most apprehension had given way to giggles by the end of the lesson. Family members finished filming a child's first swimming lesson and packed their cameras.

Dave Lund, an aquatic recreation director with the city of Las Vegas, said introductory swim courses for the very young are not successful if they are not fun.

"If you can't make it fun, they don't pay attention," he said of the children. "The more fun they have in the pool the better."

Parent and toddler swim classes are offered at municipal pools across the valley in multiple sessions throughout the summer. Course fees vary, but most cost about $20.