Strokes of summer

Lolita Harper

They come up out of the water, gasping for breath, happy to feel the

breeze on their cheeks and proud of their accomplishments. Water

rolls from the tops of their heads and into their eyes. As they wipe

it off, they look to their proud parents sitting poolside and ask,

“Did you see me?”

They are the future swimmers at one of Costa Mesa’s many swim

camps designed to get local children water safe for the summer.

Lessons run Monday through Friday every half hour, in two-week

intervals.

Children learn the basics of swimming in fun and interactive ways,

with enthusiastic teachers. Most classes are relatively small, which

fosters plenty of individual attention. Swimmers partake in magic

carpet rides, where they get pulled around the pool by their arms.

They learn how to propel their legs like a “motor boat,” and pick up

the pace as the motor boat “steps on the gas.”

Little bellies stick out of the water as the children practice

floating. Water splashes everywhere as students work on strong,

powerful kicks. And strapping muscles abound as the little swimmers

execute “big arms.”

And of course, no swim camp would be complete without learning to

stick your head underwater and blow bubbles.

Lessons are $30 for two weeks of watery merriment. They are

offered throughout the summer. Classes for adults are also offered,

minus the cutesy water games.