The Rec Well Wire

According to the USA Swimming Foundation, nine people drown each day in the United States. With warmer months on the horizon, water lovers should understand the techniques and safety of how to swim before making the plunge.

Recreation and Wellness’ Learn to Swim program provides community members with an opportunity to take part in swim lessons designed for varying ages and skill levels. Swimmers, ages six months to adult with a skill level of beginner to advanced, will be taught by fully trained certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors.

The program is divided into three different lesson types. Small Group lessons are designed for younger children. The lesson holds a minimum of four participants and a maximum of six. If the class does not meet the minimum number of participants it is cancelled, and private or semi-private lessons are recommended to those still interested. 

Semi-Private lessons and Private lessons are also offered. These lessons are scheduled by appointment only. Semi-Private lessons are specialized and intensive lessons for ages three and up. This quick pace lesson instructs two to three previously assembled participants that demonstrate a similar skill level. Private lessons are similar to Semi-Private lessons, but are strictly one-on-one.

The program uses different activities for different lessons. For the younger participants, the program focuses on fun in water with activities such as water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating and underwater exploration. As children progress they will begin to explore the water through floating, submerging, kicking skills, and strokes.

 The cost for each lesson varies by the type of lesson, the number of lessons, and whether or not the participant is a Student Recreation Center member.

It is important that people take swim lessons seriously. Simply acquiring basic skills can help in preventing serious accidents. Aquatics Student Supervisor Allyson Ruebusch stressed the significance of the Learn to Swim program and how it can be extremely beneficial to the community.

“The number of people who do not know how to swim is staggering. Thousands of swim related tragedies happen every year that could have easily been prevented by just a few lessons,” said Ruebusch.

Swimming can be a fun and healthy activity for people of all ages. However, it is very dangerous if one is not well prepared. The Learn to Swim program offers experience and expertise that can help you or your child learn potentially life saving skills that you will have for the rest of your life.

The next session begins March 21. For small group lessons participants may register at the front desk of the Student Recreation Center or call 419.372.2000. For private lessons contact Micha Seither, smicha@bgsu.edu.

Now, more than ever the pressure to become an adult at a younger age can really take a toll on students. The transition from painting toenails and playing video games to cramming for tests and working extra hours to make rent can be a tough one for college students. Imagine setting all adulthood worries aside and acting like a kid again. Now is your chance.

The Department of Recreation and Wellness is hosting the 12th annual BIG Playground event. The event will be held on Friday, February 26th at the Student Recreation Center from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

BIG Playground is a late night alternative event. The event’s purpose is to show students there are healthy alternatives to a good time rather than drinking and partying. Activities include an inflatable obstacle course and jousting, two caricatures, a giant slide, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, a live DJ, sex olympics, disabled vision goggles, prizes and food.

Health Educator, Caitlin Spontelli explained how the event offers a fun and healthy learning environment. She said every year students respond positively to BIG Playground. “They enjoy having a night to let loose, meet new people, and release their inner child,” explained Spontelli. About 1,000 students participate each year.

BIG Playground is free to BGSU students with student ID and only $6.00 for guests. The first 100 people receive a free t-shirt. Don’t let the chance of indulging in your favorite youthful activities pass you by. Come to BIG Playground and be a kid again, guilt free! Call 419.372 WELL (9355) for more information.

It was spring 2001 the year my teammates and I took home the indoor soccer intramural championship. It was a game to remember as we were neck and neck with the International team all the way down to the wire. I scored several goals that game and thoroughly enjoyed the victory. I especially looked forward to receiving my intramural champions tee-shirt. I received the shirt with honor, however, it was only a couple weeks before my shirt turned up missing. It’s been 7 years since I’ve lost that shirt so I am hoping this community blog will bring it back to me. If anyone knows where I can get one, please contact me. It was a day of great honor taking home the championship in 2001, and hopefully I can someday find a spring 2001 intramural champions shirt to remember it by.

If you’re a member of the extended BGSU family such as a Bowling Green community member, a participant in one of our programs, or just a visitor, you can still recreate with BGSU Recreational Sports. 

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