The ALTS program is free for adults ages 18 and over with little to no prior instruction. We welcome students who have never been in a pool or body of water, have had a traumatic past experience associated with the water, or may have faced economic, racial or other barriers to accessing swimming pools for both recreation and education.  

Our students join the program for a variety of reasons:

- want to swim with family, children, spouse
-often vacation around water, but never actually get in
- fear of water
- personal experience with drowning or dunking
- body/joint pain and looking for alternative exercise
- bucket list item
- encouraged by a fellow graduate

We have over 700 graduates with 700 different reasons for signing up for our class - We have met every desire head on.

The Central ALTS curriculum is designed to help adults feel safe and enjoy the aquatic environment. Students move through the curriculum at their own pace with experienced instructors; we never force next steps, and we never give up! The ALTS student comes in all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. Skills covered include:
- relaxation, breathing, getting comfortable
- introduction to/entering the water
- bubbles, submersion
- floating on the front and the back
- elementary Freestyle and backstroke
- moving the body from front to back float
- “how to save yourself” and conversations
- treading water
- deep water
- jumping in

This high energy, aquatic fitness program is for any adults ages 18+ with any level of water experience.  Taught by Certified Zumba and Lead Swim Instructor, Debra Myers, this total body fitness class is a great workout for any level of fitness, strength, or ability. Easy to follow instructions, provided water-weights, and a welcoming class of enthusiastic regulars makes this a must-do program for anyone who loves the water and enjoys being in community. 

Aqua Zumba is held year-round on Wednesdays 9am.  The $5 drop-in fee offsets costs for instructor, lifeguards, and pool rental.  Participants must fill-out contact and liability/insurance forms prior to participation in their first class. 

Additional classes, including pop-up Saturdays, and a full summer schedule, are announced regularly.

Open Swim is an opportunity for any/all graduates of the beginning ALTS program to return to the pool for continued instruction.  We offer open swim three times a week and provide ALTS Instructors both in the water and on-deck to help graduates progress in their skills. Open Swim is a beloved community of swimmers at all levels. 

Graduates who attend Open Swim work on a variety of skills:
- working on air exchange and breath
- continuing work on freestyle and elementary backstroke
- learning to Tread water
- jumping in the pool
- swimming laps to increase endurance/speed
- trying new strokes (butterfly, breaststroke)
- brushing up on skills for an upcoming vacation
- just wanting to be in the water and have fun with other graduates

One Sunday a month, ALTS graduates are invited to bring their children, grandchildren, parents, siblings and friends for a community pool party.  This 3-hour aquatic celebration includes supervised fun, games, and safety education in the water.  Volunteer swimmers from local high schools and instructors offer “swim-with-a-buddy” for younger swimmers, basic swim instruction,  and relay races for all ages. Drinks, snacks, and pizza are always included in this high-energy, community event. 

Family Day is announced to graduates on a monthly basis.

This service opportunity, supported by area swim teams, friends of Central ALTS, and other sponsoring organizations, was established to deep clean and take excellent care of the facilities we call home. Snacks/drinks are provided. 

Volunteers provide support through a variety of tasks:
- sweeping pool decks and stands
- hosing/scrubbing decks 
- organizing equipment
- collecting and sorting lost-and-found
- wiping down mirrors/counters/showers
- cleaning tables and other high-traffic surfaces
- tidying up office areas and storage bins
- vacuuming the pool
- replacing torn shower curtains

Central ALTS provides training opportunities throughout the year for individuals or graduates who are interested in teaching adults to swim with our program.  Instructors are required to have mastered all 5 of the American Red Cross Competencies and feel strong, confident, and relaxed in the water.  Instructors are volunteers with our program who have a desire to share their love of the water with their community.  The most repeated desire of potential instructors is to “want to give back.” 

Contact yallwannaswim@gmail.com to sign up for an instructor certification class or for more information.