City to Offer Free Swim Lessons

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will offer free swim lessons at eight of the city’s pools beginning on Tuesday, July 15. Classes are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for ages 5 to 12 and Friday evenings for ages 13 and up. Both classes will focus on water safety skills and basic aquatic skills. Session one will operate from Tuesday, July 15 through Thursday, July 24 for the youth classes and Friday July 18 through Friday August 8 for the adult classes. Session two will operate from Tuesday, August 5 through Thursday, August 14.

Dates	Ages	Times	Pool Locations
July 15, 17, 22, and 24	5-12 years	11 – 11:45 a.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
July 15, 17, 22, and 24	5 -12 years	11:45 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
July 15, 17, 22, and 24	5 -12 years	6-6:45 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
July 15, 17, 22, and 24	5 -12 years	6:45 – 7:15 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
July 18, 25, August 1,8	13 and over	6 – 6:45 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
August 5, 7, 12, and 14	5-12 years	11 – 11:45 a.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Hotchkiss, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
August 5, 7, 12, and 14	5 -12 years	11:45 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Hotchkiss, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
August 5, 7, 12, and 14	5 -12 years	6-6:45 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Hotchkiss, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville
August 5, 7, 12, and 14	5 -12 years	6:45 – 7:15 p.m.	Battery Park, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Fairmount, Hotchkiss, Powhatan, Randolph, and Woodville

“This is a great opportunity to learn water safety and fundamental aquatic skills that everyone should know and will be used for years to come.” said Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, director of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities.

Registration for session one will begin on Monday, July 7 at 5 p.m. at each pool site. Registration for session two will begin on Monday, July 28 at 5 p.m. at each pool site. Addresses for each pool site can be found here. For more information, please call (804) 646-5733 or email Alethea Tyler at alethea.tyler@richmondgov.com . 

Learn to Swim for Free This Summer

The department is offering free Learn to Swim classes for adults and children this summer at all nine of the department’s public swimming pools. The classes are sanctioned by the American Red Cross, and all of the department’s instructors are American Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructors.

     “In a river city like Richmond, it’s important for every child to learn to swim,” said Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “The river is such an integral part of our city, and it attracts so many people, that we believe knowing how to swim and understanding water safety is critical to the city’s population.

     “At some point, it’s likely that you or your child will be attracted to the river and visit our James River Park. When you do, we want you to be knowledgeable and to know how to swim,” he said.

     The free classes are designed for non-swimmers and will focus on an introduction to water skills, learning the fundamentals, and water safety. Each class will meet four times.

     The next round of classes for youth ages 5 through 12 and will begin on July 22. Morning and evening sessions are available. Another round for kids age 5 through 12 will begin on August 12.

      For non-swimmers 13 and older, classes will begin on August 9 and will be held in the evenings.

      Please register in advance by calling or visiting the pool of your choice. The department’s fun and friendly swim instructors are waiting for you!

Pool Locations & Telephone Numbers:

Battery Park Pool                   2917 Dupont Circle, 23231                           804-646-0127

Bellemeade Pool*                   1800 Lynhaven Ave., 23224                          804- 646-8849

Blackwell Pool                        238 E. 14th St., 23224                                804-646-8718

Fairmount Pool                       2000 U St., 23219                                       804-646-3831 

Hotchkiss Pool                        701 E. Brookland Park Blvd., 23227             804-646-3762

Powhatan Pool                        5051 Northampton St., 23231                      804-646-3595

Randolph Pool                        1401 Grayland Ave., 23220                          804-646-1329

Swansboro Pool*                    3160 Midlothian Trnpk., 23224                      804-646-8088

Woodville Pool                       2305 Fairfield Ave., 23223                             804-646-3834

*Indoor Pools

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