There’s more going on at the Lake Orion High School Natatorium than just high school sports.
The natatorium offers a number of programs for the community, year-round, including swim lessons. Fall lessons began on Sept. 17.
Swim lessons are offered for ages infant up to adult, for all different levels.
Classes are taught by high school-age through adult instructors, all Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified teachers, including Regina Eaton, the head instructor.
‘The WSI course is 30 hours of training, offered by the Red Cross,? Eaton said.
Lake Orion’s lessons follow the American Red Cross swim program, and the facility is an authorized provider for the Red Cross, with staff available to rectify: Lifeguard training and first aid certificate (done every three years), CPR (every year), AED (every year), first aid (every three years); these are handled on a request basis.
Swim lessons are offered on Saturdays, and in the evenings, Mon.-Thurs. Eaton said 450 people participated in the swim lessons program in June-Aug. of this year.
Private lessons are available upon request.
Student to instructor ratios are kept low, with Puddle Jumper classes (ages five and under) being six kids to one instructor. Levels 1-3 are eight swimmers to one instructor, and advanced levels are 10 to one instructor.
‘If we overbook a class, we will add an additional class,? said aquatics coordinator Amy Thayer. ‘We’ll put people on a waiting list, and when we have enough we go ahead and add another class.?
Lessons run for four weeks, with eight classes during that time.
‘We do fill up very quickly in the beginning,? Thayer said.
People can enroll for swim lessons anytime, and can enroll now for lessons in January, said Eaton, who began instructing classes when the natatorium opened at LOHS in 1998.
In addition to swim lessons, the natatorium offers numerous programs and events for a variety of interests and age groups.
Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts can participate in ‘Badge Day? to earn swim badges at the natatorium. Girl Scouts hold their event in the fall, and Boy Scouts in the spring.
The natatorium also offers lifeguard classes, and WSI classes. For lifeguard, students must be at least 15 years old, and for WSI, at least 16.
For those looking for exercise options, a number of different water aerobic classes are offered.
Joint Ventures is a class catering to seniors, offered at 10:30-11:15 a.m., Mon., Wed. and Fri.
‘It keeps them active, and the water is not so hard on joints and muscles,? said Eaton. ‘The pool is kept at 84 degrees, and it’s shallow.?
There are also deep and shallow water aerobics classes, running 6:15-7 p.m. on Mon.-Thurs.
‘I’m pretty sure we’re one of the only (natatoriums) around that offer a deep water class,? Eaton said. ‘It’s an excellent workout.?
If someone would like to drop in on one class, rather than enrolling for a whole group of classes, aquatic exercise punch cards can be purchased.
‘It’s a very popular program,? said Thayer. ‘We also offer a senior discount if they have a Golden Age Pass.?
Senior swims are offered from 6:30-8 p.m., Tues. and Thurs.; and 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays.
‘Saturday morning is the most quiet time at the pool,? Thayer said.
Seniors can also participate in Grandparents Day, held in the fall and spring.
This year, Grandparents Day at the natatorium will be Oct. 29, from 1-3 p.m. For $3, one grandparent and all their grandchildren can get into the pool.
‘We have games and take photos,? said Thayer. ‘It’s a good time.?
For people interested in more than just swimming, the natatorium has you covered. There is a kayaking class, competitive diving class and scuba diving class offered.
The Lake Orion Natatorium is also home to the competitive swim team, the Lake Orion Liquid Lightning.
‘They are age-group competitive, from 5-18 years of age,? Thayer said.
Registration for the team began on Sept. 6.
Also for kids, the natatorium offers Friday Night Splash Bash, held the second Friday of every month.
‘Every other month we are doing a theme, and in October it will be ‘Spooky Night,?? Thayer said.
For Splash Bash, the pool is open 5:30-9 p.m., with an inflatable dinosaur in the pool for the kids.
‘We’re just encouraging families to come and use the pool,? said Thayer.
Regular open swims at the natatorium are Mon.-Sat., with open swim from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Mon. and Wed.; from 5:30-8 p.m. on Tues., Thurs. and Fri.; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sat.
‘We offer birthday parties, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights, which are very reasonable,? Thayer added.
With all the lakes in the area, Eaton said getting children involved in swim lessons and other pool programs at a young age is a good idea.
‘Lessons are extremely important,? agreed Thayer. ‘So is just bringing your kids and letting them have a good time in the pool.
‘So much of what kids do in the summer around here involves being in the water,? she said.
The natatorium is handicap-accessible, with two pools, including a lap pool and a smaller pool for families with handicap-access.
There is an elevator to the pool, and designated parking. Locker rooms are also handicap-accessible.
The cost of the pool is $3 for adults and $2 for children.
For more information or to enroll, call 814-1715. More information is also online at www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us/cerc.