Swim Season is Coming - Get Informed!

A local parent, with patience (the result of necessity!) and perseverance, stayed on the phone to bring us this information about swimming lessons at the Sunset Park pool.

Having called the number last year, I can attest to the high frustration-level this call creates. If you want to sign-up your child for lessons, you can either wait in the long, long lines on registration day, or you can take your chances with showing up, or you can show up after the crowds on registration day and get on the waiting list.

Here you go (and thank you to this neighborhood mom!):

I just called the Citywide Aquatic Division of the NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation to find out the schedule for free swimming lessons at Sunset Park Pool. In order to save everyone from listening to the painfully slow automated message, I am posting all the information and the key pad selections to get to that information:

Citywide Aquatic Division of NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation: (718) 760-6969

Press 1 for the Learn to Swim Program
Press 2 for Brooklyn
Press 2 for Lower Brooklyn
Press 6 for Sunset Park

The Free Beginner Learn to Swim Classes are available Monday-Friday mornings from 8AM-11AM for 2 age groups (1.5 - 5yr olds, 6-14year olds) in 3 sessions.
Swim ability of 6-14 year olds is conducted by verbal interview of both parent and child.
Tots must be accompanied in water by an adult.
Registration is on a 1st come 1st served basis.
You must complete a consent form (the message didn't specify but I guess you'd get the consent form at registration) and bring in a copy of the child(ren)'s birth certificate.

Session 1
Registration: Monday, July 6th 9AM-11AM
Classes: July 7 - July 22

Session 2
Registration: Thursday, July 23rd 9AM-11AM
Classes: July 24 - Aug 11

Session 3
Registration: Wednesday, August 12th 9AM-11AM
Classes: Aug 13 - Aug 28

Happy Swimming!!

Determined Parents Brave Monster Line for Swim Lessons

This is the line for the Swim Classes at the Sunset Park Pool. It wouldn't be all that bad, except it's the line at 10:45 AM - almost two hours AFTER registration started. When I walked by again, at just after Noon, the line had been shifted (without incident) to allow for pool goers to get in. It was still an impressive line, but it seemed to be moving along. One parent told me he's actually been in line almost three hours. There will be a waiting list for those who don't make it into the classes at first. Mornings in the pool will be worth it, I'm sure!

Course II and Course III have registration days on July 24th and August 13th, respectively.

Register for Laps/Lessons/Team at Sunset Park Pool

First things first: Learn to Swim!

The first of three courses for ages 18 months through 5 years and 6 years through 14 years begins on July 8th, and it continues through July 23rd. Registration is on July 7th from 9 AM to 11 AM at the pool. It's first come, first served. Proof of age is required (a copy of a birth certificate), and children ages 6 through 14 will have a water test on registration day.

Lessons for 6 through 14 years take place on M/W/F from 9-11 AM, and lessons for 18 months through 5 years take place on Tu/Th from 9-11 AM. (This was from the city-wide number; I think it might actually be 10 AM - 11 AM.) I do know that lessons are free. Call (718) 760-6969 for more information.

SWIM TEAM! For those ages 6 - 18 who want to challenge themselves to more formal training, the Sunset Pool is hosting a 2008 Summer Swim Team, including a championship meet on August 9th.

Register on Monday, July 7th from 9 AM - 11AM, or on any scheduled practice day.
Practice is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM - 9:45 AM from July 8th through August 7th. Call (718) 760-6969 for more information.

Adult Lap Swim - early bird and night owl. Sunset Pool is hosting both the AM and PM sessions of Adult Lap Swim on Mondays through Fridays at 7 AM - 8:30 AM and 7 PM - 8:30 PM. Registration occurs during lap swim hours on any day throughout the season. The first day is July 7th, and is continues through August 29th. Again, call (718) 760-6969 for more information.