The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-03-26, Page 9Wednesday, March 26, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 9
Swimming is an essential skill and fitness opportunity
Troy Patterson
Kincardine News
Barb Willits has a passion for teach-
ing swimming, but said she's surprised
of the frequency of adults who never
learned the skill for its survival, or rec-
reational and fitness opportunities.
"I was horrified by the number of
adults that didn't know how to swim,"
said Willits, who said years ago both a
lack of opportunity in cold waters, or
fast -flowing rivers limited opportunities
for people to learn.
But with both public and private
opportunities for swimming in pools, or
families driving down the highway to
Lake Huron, swimming is a skill every-
one should know.
Last Thursday Willits was leading a
group in her Sepoy Swimmers Aquafit
class, which acts as both an exercise
program and a social time at the pool.
Willits said it's an opportunity for fit-
ness activities, stretching and activating
different muscle groups, while also pro-
viding cardio exercise benefits.
"People really enjoy it because they
don't have to drive out of town," she
said.
She's hoping to see more men out to
take part in the program, or other swim-
ming classes, to complement the cur-
rent groups.
Willits has operated a private indoor
pool on the edge of Lucknow for about
20 years, teaching private lessons, fit-
ness classes, and lifeguard training as a
Red Cross affiliate. She's coach a Wing-
ham-Lucknow Community Living
group and also provides support for
Lucknow's outdoor pool in the
summer.
She runs the pool as a business, but
said she also loves what she does. The
training of children in basic to more
advanced swimming techniques is
important and has a lot more value
Troy Patterson QM! Agency
Lucknow's Barb Willits has a passion for teaching swimming year-round and has done so at her private pool for the past 20 years. Her Aquafit class on
March 20, 2014 was all smiles while taking part in low -impact swimming exercises. Sepoy Swimmers owner Barb Willits is seen running swimmers
through different activities.
than people recognize, Willits said.
But she's noticed a decline in swim-
ming instruction, which concerns her
and her push to see all young people
and adults develop basic swimming
skills.
"I've noticed in the last 10 years par-
ents don't put an emphasis on it any-
more," said Willits. "It's a life skill, not
just a recreational ability."
She has noticed an increasing drown-
ing rate in national statistics, which
demonstrates that the need for
swimming skills "isn't getting through
unfortunately."
Prior to the construction of public
pools in Goderich and Wingham,
Willits' was the only one around, she
said. This gave her an opportunity to
operate both as a business and provide
a much-needed service to the Lucknow
area.
Willits said a large percentage of the
local lifeguards who work in the area
received their skills under her tutelage .
"I've pretty much trained them a11,"
she laughed.
Her private lessons operate until the end of June when the
outdoor pool opens, and resumes in September once again.
Swimming is a year-round activity that provides both a
good workout and low resistance, so it's something all ages
can do, she said.
An eight-week spring session began on March 24, with Red
Cross Swim Kids, adult and private lessons, and rentals
available.
For more information call 519-528-2742.
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