By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
City kicks of summer water fun on June 16
Ceres High School pool is where all the action will be
CPR lessons
The junior lifeguard program teaches children how to use CPR and water safety techniques. - photo by JEFF BENZIGER/Courier file photo

June 16 will be the kick-off for the summer aquatics program offered by the city of Ceres.

A team of Red Cross certified staff members will be offering classes at the Ceres High School pool to teach youngsters six months and up how to swim.

Session I swim lessons will run from Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 26, and Session II runs Tuesday, July 8 to Thursday, July 17, while Session III is held Monday, July 28 to Thursday, August 7.

Cost is $42 per session and includes eight classes. Preregistration is required.

Lessons are for those six months of age and up. Lessons are staged on different levels based on swimming ability. There is an infant and toddlers' class, pre-school class as well as Level I through Level V classes. Each class starts out with a five-minute safety lesson and 40 minutes of water instruction, except for the toddler class which is only 30 minutes long.

The pre-school and toddler class is basically about weaning students from their parents and making them more independent in the water. The goal of Level I is have students to float on their back without fear. Level II focuses on freestyle swimming across the pool. Levels 3-5 hone swimming skills and become better divers and learning breast- and back-strokes.

Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.ci.ceres.ca.us, in person at 2701 Fourth Street, or by calling Traci Farris at 538-5682 for more information.

The city's Open Swim program allows the public to cool off in the pool on specific Fridays and Saturdays through the summer from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $2 per children and $2.50 per adult. Children 12 and younger must be supervised by an adult. All participants must wear swimming suits only in the pool. Flotation devices are not allowed, however Coast Guard approved life jackets are. The pool will be available for open swims on June 20, 21, 27, 28, July 18, 19, 25, 26, and Aug. 1 and 2.

In addition, Family Night Swim is open to swimmers of all ages on specific evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. where all participants pay the child's price of $2. The dates for Family Night Swim are Friday, June 27, Saturday, June 28, Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26.

Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.ci.ceres.ca.us, in person at 2701 Fourth Street, or by calling Traci Farris at 538-5682 for more information.

Water polo camp will serve as an introduction to the sport of water polo for those aged 8 to 16. Participants will learn a variety of skills, including: passing and shooting drills, dribbling, treading water, field and body positioning, and introduction to game play. T-shirt and certificate included in price of camp.

Sessions will be held Mondays and Wednesdays, June 30 to July 28, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Cost is $65 per person.

Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.ci.ceres.ca.us, in person at 2701 Fourth Street, or by calling Traci Farris at 538-5682 for more information.

The city is also offering an aquatics camp for children aged five years and older and Level I graduates. Children will explore through swim lessons, games, music, relays, and crafts. Session I runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 30 to July 3, and costs $80; while Session II runs July 21-25 and cost is $90. Both enrollment fees include a camp T-shirt.

The city's Junior Lifeguard Camp is designed for kids aged 11 to 15 years of age, and allows all participants to acquire hands-on experience in all areas of lifeguard skills. The camp is offered 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 1 to July 24. Cost is $65 and includes T-shirt and certificate.

Pre-registration is required for all the aquatics programs (except for open swim) at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street or online at www.ci.ceres.ca.us