The swim season is upon us. With the new heated pools in the Fontana Aquatics Center there are plenty of opportunities for residents to take a swim or really stretch those muscles with fitness classes.

Come experience what everyone is talking about

The Aquatics Center at Fontana Park on grand opening day. Over 30,000 people visited the new park on the first day.

After a slow start, the new Aquatic Center has completed all on-going construction, finished preparations for the upcoming season, trained all staff, and is ready to provide the most comprehensive programming in the area.

Delays after the grand opening of the Fontana Park Aquatic Center were unexpected. The facility itself had a few modifications made following a record breaking 30,000 visitors on opening day, and as a result, swimmers have anxiously waited for the re-opening of the facility.

Those who waited patiently for swim classes and recreational swim time are already enjoying the luxury of having a year round pool in which to get a great workout, even when there is snow falling on the nearby mountains.

Fitness-minded swimmers

Anyone who aims to tone the arms, abs, and legs or simply improve stamina will enjoy lap swimming, water walking, water aerobics classes, or the fundamentals of water polo. Lap swimmers may even add a little kick to their swim routine by trying any combination of strokes that are displayed daily by staff as recommended exercises.

Fundamentals of Water Polo is one of the new classes offered in Fontana.

The posted workouts add challenges to regular practice schedules. For swimmers looking to improve their styles and tone their bodies, the staff at the Aquatic Center recommends increasing the frequency and intensity of a workout.

"Using different kinds of equipment (kickboards, pull buoys, hand paddles, or resistance bands) to isolate certain muscle groups also helps to tone the body," adds Jennifer Bridges, aquatics coordinator at the Fontana Aquatics Center.

Lap swim, splash pads, and water slides all make for a fun day at the park.

There is, of course, a time for fun and that time is almost all day at Fontana Park. Swimming lessons, recreational swim time, water slides, and splash pads are all available.

Thanks to a grant from Kaiser Permanente, the City of Fontana offers free swim lessons for all ages through Operation Splash. The program is available to anyone who qualifies and is offered at Fontana Park, Miller Pool, Heritage Pool, and Don Day Pool.

Learning to swim early can be a great confidence booster as well as creates a wonderful afternoon adventure for any family. New and younger swimmers should be watched at all times while in or near the water. Caregivers should not allow themselves to be distracted from watching children or new swimmers, even those wearing flotation devices.

"The swim lesson instructors ask that participants follow the pool rules by wearing a proper bathing suit or swimming trunks during lessons," says Bridges. "This allows greater freedom to move in the water and reduces a ‘weighted down’ feeling."

"Prior to, and after, the lesson it is recommended that participants wear a towel robe or parka to keep warm. As the spring and summer months approach we too don’t want our participants to forget about applying sunscreen 30 minutes before their lesson," adds Bridges.

For property owners with pools, or anyone who regularly visits friends who have pools, the following are some tips to keep loved ones safe while swimming.

• Learn CPR
• Make sure you have quick access to a phone in case of emergency
• Enclose the pool with a self-locking, self-closing fence
• Keep basic lifesaving equipment near the pool
• Keep within close contact with swimmers
• Create and follow pool rules for safe swimming depths based on individual swimming abilities.

Trainings in CPR for junior lifeguards, people in the healthcare field, or residents are offered throughout the year at the Fontana Aquatics Center and Don Day Neighborhood Center.

The Fontana Aquatics Program also offers a free residential pool safety day in the summer. This year the event date has not been announced but will be placed on the Fontana Aquatics website at www.FontanaAquaticsProgram.org. The site is updated on a regular basis and includes information about CPR training, becoming a lifeguard, and programs offered through the City.

The City of Fontana Aquatics Center is open from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm daily. For more information about programs, swim times or Operation Splash at all of the pools, please call (909) 854-5111.