It’s the time of year when those who have made a resolution to get back into shape are wavering in their commitment.
But the Foundation for Youth is encouraging people not to give up yet, and to consider getting back into the swim of things this month with a variety of pool programs targeted to all ages.
FFY, 405 Hope Ave., offers more than 80 hours of different aquatics programming seven days a week in the Dotty and Paul Dinkins Aquatics Center, said Laura Moses, health and fitness director.
The pool is named after the Columbus couple for their community service, including Dotty’s work teaching aqua aerobics classes for 34 years. Dotty Dinkins died Aug. 30, 2017, but her classes at FFY have continued.
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“She always promoted health and activity and taking care of one’s self,” Moses said of Dotty Dinkins.
Moses said FFY has continued the classes with a CD that Dotty Dinkins created a few years before her death.
Among the pool programs available are lap swimming, instructor-led workouts, swimming for seniors, in addition to youth and adult swim instruction classes. Moses said there is always room for more people to participate in different programming.
“The goal is to be able to provide quality programs and services to the community that benefit their physical growth and well-being,” Moses said. “It’s programming from 2-years to 90-plus years (old).”
Hours of programming
Individuals may choose to pay a fee for a single visit or purchase a member pass that allows them to use the pool at other times. Nearly 84 hours of different pool programming is offered each week.
Some pool activities such as youth and adult swim instruction require enrollment fees. Youth swim lessons start at $72 for beginner and intermediate classes, while the enrollment fee for adults is $120 per person.
Safety is a top priority as FFY employs eight part-time lifeguards, some of whom are local high school students, while two individuals are retirees, Moses said. There is one lifeguard available for every 20 swimmers in the pool, she said.
The lifeguards are trained in CPR, first-aid and the use of an automated external defibrillator, Moses said. The 88,000-gallon pool, which has existed for 45-plus years, is 3- to 9-feet deep and is the only indoor pool in Columbus that offers public swimming.
Moses said a ladies-only swim is offered on Saturdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. It was created as part of a pilot program after women of Islamic faith working at Cummins Inc. were interested in learning how to swim.
There were nearly 12,000 visits to the pool in 2018, including local athletes recovering from injuries and adults who use the pool for physical therapy.
Moses used the pool to participate in deep water running as part of a nine-week recovery from an ankle fracture she sustained preparing for a half-marathon eight years ago.
“That was helping me physically, mentally, emotionally,” Moses said. “It provides a great training resource.”
And for individuals who might not know how to swim or might be nervous, Moses encouraged people to give it a try. Youths and adults can use the pool on a per-visit basis or obtain a pass, allowing them a certain number of visits depending on the type of pass.
Some great exercise
Sam Cain, a sophomore at Columbus North High School who has been working at FFY since October, is among the eight lifeguards visitors might encounter when they visit the pool.
The pool is a good way for people to get some exercise, he said.
Fellow lifeguard Mike Harris, who is a retired business owner, has been a frequent visitor to the FFY over the years, but decided to volunteer as a lifeguard as a way to help the community.
Harris also said he tries to make exercise enjoyable for swimmers by becoming a sort of pool DJ, playing music over a speaker based on the age demographic in the pool. He primarily works with older visitors who use the pool in the morning hours and said he tries to choose music based on their interests.
“It kind of helps them focus and they can relate to it,” Harris said.
Columbus resident Kris Medic, who recently retired as Purdue Extension educator with Purdue Extension in Bartholomew County, has been coming to the FFY to swim laps since 1994. She said compared to a gym membership, the FFY is reasonable.
“It’s a great fitness option if you like swimming,” Medic said.
Joni Williams, also of Columbus, said she comes to the FFY five days a week to participate in lap swimming and and also encouraged people to check out what different programs are available.
“There’s something for everyone,” Williams said. “It’s a form of exercise that’s not hard on your joints.”
Kathy Bradley, who has been teaching private swim lessons for more than 10 years, also wants to share her love of swimming with others in the community.
“One of my goals in life is to teach as many people to love the water,” Bradley said.
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FFY offers swimming lessons for youths and adults, and private swim lessons are also available. Single visits and member passes may be purchased for pool access.
Pool activities:
Dotty’s workout – Self-led aqua aerobics class
Instructor-led workout – Aqua aerobics class with preregistration requirements
Lap swim – Five lanes are available
Master’s swim – Group workout with all swim levels welcome
Public swim – All ages open swim with no lane lines, ages 2 and under are free.
Senior swim – Ages 50 and up with two lane lines
Water workout – Self-led aerobics, water walk or physical therapy
To learn more about the different swimming programs offered at the Foundation for Youth, 405 Hope Ave., visit the organization’s website at www.foundationforyouth.com/programs/aquatics.
Prices:
Youth – Toddlers ages 2 and under are free, youth single visits are $5, while 15 visits are $52.50
Adult – Adult single visits are $7 each, seniors who are 50-years-old and above pay $5; 10 visits are $45; 20 visits are $80; 30 visits are $105 and 40 visits are $120.
Information: Call Laura Moses, health and fitness director at the Foundation for Youth at 812-348-4558, ext. 217
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