Water safety a primary concern in warmer months

Christina Dabanco stands poised. Hands above her head, toes curled around the side, she prepares to dive into the pool at Blakely Park.

Splat! Christina breaks the water flat on her stomach. Smiling, she comes back up to the surface eager to try again and seemingly unaware of the dangers water poses.

Christina, 8, is taking swimming lessons this year and has been swimming her entire life.

With summer right around the corner, many local residents are spending more time outdoors in the water. But with the splashing fun comes an increased need for water safety.

Precautions such as learning how to swim and knowing water safety procedures such as proper lifejacket use can help reduce water accidents, said Susan Ackerman, Lodi Parks and Recreation aquatics supervisor.

"A lifejacket can save your life, but if you don't know how to wear it properly, you can still drown," Ackerman said.

Ackerman said the city of Lodi has not had any drownings in the last six years, but there have been multiple rescues.

"We haven't had a drowning. We have had rescues. It's usually people who don't know how to swim and just go a little too far out," Ackerman said.

For some parents, swim lessons allow children to build confidence around the water and have fun.

"You just never know when you'll be around the water," said Carolyn Long, whose grandson Isaac is in his second summer of swimming lessons.

Long feels swim lessons heighten Isaac's awareness of the water and give him a summer activity to look forward to.

"I think for his safety, (it's important) to be safe around the water," Long said. "He's crazy about the water. He's always ready for the next day."

More Information

General water safety tips

Learn to swim, but don't just know how to swim. Swim with a buddy.

Swim in areas that are supervised by a lifeguard.

Always read and obey all rules and posted signs.

Be knowledgeable about the water environment you are swimming in and the potential hazards of the area.

Pay attention to weather conditions and stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

Only dive when the area is marked as a diving area. If not posted, only enter feet-first.

Do not mix alcohol with swimming and diving. Alcohol affects your skills and reduces the body's ability to stay warm.

Source: www.redcross.org

Swimming courses offered in Lodi

Parks and Recreation offers swim lessons with standards set by the American Red Cross. There are six levels of courses offered, and each is based on the swimmer's abilities in the water and comfort at trying new strokes and techniques. Classes are held at Enze/Field Pool in Blakely Park at 1050 S. Stockton St. and are scheduled for one week and are half an hour a day.

Session three and four

June 30-July 11 and July 14-25

June 4-18, priority registration ($35)

June 19, regular registration ($50)

Mommy or Daddy and Me

Four-day class offered Monday through Thursday.

Resident fee: $20

Non-resident fee: $25

Private swim lessons

Registration for private lessons begins June 16. Classes are half-hour sessions and cost $25 for one session and $90 for four sessions. Non-residents will be charged an extra $7.

Swim lessons in Galt

Swimming lessons in Galt are offered at the Galt Aquatics center. Each session consists of nine classes and each lesson lasts 30 minutes each day. Registration is $35 for Galt residents and $45 for non-residents.

Session One: June 9-19; levels one through five offered

Session Two: June 23-July 3; all levels offered

Session Three: July 7-17; all levels offered

Session Four: July 21-31; levels one through five offered.

Parent and Me

This class meets four Saturdays per session and each class lasts 45 minutes. Class times are either at 11:10 a.m. or 12 p.m.

Session One: June 7, 14, 21, 28

Session Two: July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2

Session Three: Aug. 9, 16, 23, 30.

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