A whole new water world

COEUR d'ALENE — Debbie Schwieters put her face underwater at the Kroc Center pool Wednesday and then she swam.

When she finally stopped, she was smiling.

This was better than good: It was wonderful.

Volunteer instructor Jessica Miley smiled back.

"Great job," she said.

Schwieters has long avoided jumping in. When her family was splashing about in Lake Pend Oreille, she preferred to stand on the pontoon. When grandkids called for her to join, Debbie waved, but stayed put.

The seemingly bottomless water unnerved her.

"It's been a big fear," she said.

But determined to join kids and grandkids plunging into North Idaho's lakes and rivers, Schwieters signed up for adult swim lessons at the Kroc Center.

The difference it's made has been a sea change.

The longtime toe-dipper now often finds herseld in the deep end, exhaling underwater, taking strokes, kicking and floating.

No panic, only fantastic.

"It’s good. I conquered a lot of fears," Schwieters said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 37% of American adults cannot swim the length of a pool, putting them at great risk of being one of 10 who drown here every day.

That's why the Kroc teamed with USA Swimming Foundation and US Masters Swim to offer lessons for adults. They started May 8, with six sessions, twice a week, made possible by grants from USA Swimming Foundation.

“The Adult Learn to Swim program is a great opportunity for adults to work with trained instructors in a safe environment with the goal of growing more comfortable in and around the water, and perhaps learn to swim,” said Kroc aquatics director Michele Ramsey.

About 25 men and women took the plunge.

Jamie Cleave was tentatively testing the waters under the watch of Chelsey Hatch, aquatics program specialist.

She says she never learned to swim and feels uneasy in the water.

"If I can’t touch the bottom, I get scared and panic," she said.

But Cleave is determined to join the grandkids in the water this summer.

So, she tossed worries to the poolside and chose to learn.

It's already working, as she made it from one side of the pool to the other, with Hatch's tips and encouragment.

"Big improvement from day one," she said of her student.

Participants work one-on-one with certified instructors, allowing them to get accustomed to the water, learn swim techniques and understand water safety skills.

National Learn to Swim Day was Saturday, and the Kroc offered free swim evaluations followed by a free 15-minute lesson.

“Even though we are surrounded by waterways, it is not uncommon in this area to meet adults who never learned to swim,” said Kroc assistant director Stacy Barney. “And the older you get, the less likely you are to ever take a lesson. Water safety is for everyone, not just kids.”

Rod Wharton and Russ Helgeson, veteran swimmers, are instructors.

Student abilities range from being able to swim the length of a pool to being flat-out afraid to try.

"We’re a start in their journey," Wharton said.

Wharton said it's surprising to discover who can't swim. He has worked with fishermen and scuba divers who can't or won't do it. He knows a mom of five with a pool at home who cannot even tread water.

It's often a fear of the unknown, anxiety over what lurks below and the possibility they could drown.

"It's a mental thing," Wharton said.

Their coaches first gain their trust, then convince students they'll be just fine.

"I’m right here, an arm's length away," Wharton tells them. "On my watch, you’re not going to get hurt. Just trust me."

And trust they do.

From there, it's baby steps. New swimmers start face in the water, blowing bubbles. Next thing you know, it's the whole head.

Once a learner is comfortable, he or she gets the basics, mechanical and technical, Wharton said.

Detail is critical.

"... and efficiency,” Helgeson added.

A milestone is to swim the pool's length. That accomplished, confidence grows to do even more.

"That they feel more comfortable about swimming, that they can be with their kids swimming, be around water," Wharton said.

Helgeson and the other instructors doggedly seek success not just for safety, but to impart the joy of swimming.

"It’s fun to be comfortable in the water so, in the summertime, you can enjoy the lakes around here," he said.

Coach Todd Cory worked Wednesday with Lucy Velasquez of Hayden. She took instruction and began by swimming to one side of the pool, then returning.

For a beginner, her stroke was smooth.

"Did you feel the difference?" That was way better," Cory said.

His goals were for her to be able to float on her back, swim the length of the pool, tread water and get in the lake on a pontoon with loved ones this summer.

Treading water and backfloating are impact elements of comfortability in the water.

"Lucy can already do it on her own," Cory said.

Velasquez said all of her children swim and the family takes the pontoon boat on Lake Coeur d'Alene. It's not as fun for her as it is for them.

"My biggest fear is deep water, so I was missing out on the experience," she said.

The oldest of seven, she never took a swimming class. But Velasquez felt more sure of herself after three lessons at the Kroc Center.

"This is definitely helping me build my confidence," she said.

Glenn Mabile, volunteer instructor, was working with Nick Vendetti early Wednesday, encouraging him to stay calm.

"He’s learning a lot about the fact that his body is going to float naturally and he’s not going to sink. If he relaxes in the water, he’ll move more effectively through the water. Although he can swim, he struggles because he doesn’t relax. If he doesn’t relax, he’s not going to go anywhere."

Vendetti took the instructions to heart.

"I’m an old guy. I never really learned how to swim properly," he said.

But like his colleagues, Vendetti has children and grandchildren and this summer, he plans to be right there with them when they make a splash.

"They’re all learning to swim, and I’d like to be able to swim with the family," he said.

Same for Schwieters, who turns 60 this year.

She suffered a heart attack a year ago and has worked her way back. She considers the swim lessons a major achievement.

"I feel great with what I've accomplished," she said.

Her coach, Jessica Miley, has seen a transformation in her student, who swam in the pool's deep end for the first time.

"It’s just inspiring to watch. You’re never too old to conquer any fear," Miley said.

Schwieters, beaming with pride, said swimming is her bucket list.

"I’m going to swim," she said. "I'm doing it. If I don’t get to do anything else, that is it."