By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka’s pent-up demand for swim lessons was in full evidence on Monday, as the 64 spaces for the city’s second summer swim session filled in seven minutes.
“Fast and furious,” Kevin Knox, city Parks and Recreation coordinator, said of the noon sign-ups.
He estimated some 15 calls came in as online registration was taking place. Classes are for preschoolers through pre-competition levels.
Spaces for the first session were filled in one hour and 15 minutes.
Knox said he and Elle Campbell, recreation activities specialist, anticipated the second sign-up would go more quickly, and were prepared.
“Ever since I took this position in October I’ve gotten constant questions about swim programming, from access to lessons, to open swims, to rentals,” he said. “It was a very clear indication of demand by our community to have access to their pool.”
Blatchley is one of two pools in the community. The Mt. Edgecumbe Aquatics Center also offers swim lessons.
The first classes on June 10 will be the first ones in four years offered at Blatchley. Knox, the former Baranof Barracudas Swim Club coach, is working with the club, which is providing the swim instructors.
Some of the instructors are lining up training to become certified as lifeguards, and one is working on earning his water safety instructor certification.
Knox said he’s pleased that the teenagers are motivated to develop skills to offer a quality teaching experience.
“Swim lessons need to have a progressive element to them,” he said. “It’s one thing to be comfortable around water, but it’s more important for them to learn how to be safe in and around water, and to know how to swim.”
Each session has a lifeguard on deck.
Knox has been parks and recreation coordinator for seven months. Sign-ups for other summer programs have been going well, including for day camps, tot and elementary music lessons, aviation camp, sustainable energy camp, Zumba lessons and open gym.
Knox and Campbell are bracing themselves for another enthusiastic response by parents for the upcoming tumbling classes, which filled up quickly last year.
“And they will fill up quickly this year,” Knox said.
Registrations for the next gymnastics classes are noon Wednesday, for Keet Tongass Tumblers (ages 3 to 5), and Intermediate Tongass Tumblers (ages 6-12). Twelve spaces available for each class. Sign-ups are at recreation.cityofsitka.com.
This is the second summer of the city’s new parks and recreation program, after Community Schools closed in 2019. Before the Assembly approved funding for the new program, other nonprofits offered a variety of summer classes and programs.
