Macaroni Kid readers can get 25 percent off the cost of JCC swimming lessons if they sign up by Monday, Nov. 30
. Just mention Macaroni Kid Louisville East when you sign up.Patricia Connally’s kids have sampled swimming lessons at a handful of Louisville facilities, and mom is by far most impressed with the JCC’s Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy.
Her daughters Amelia, 9, and Charlotte, 7, are both LKSA graduates and now are strong members of the JCC swim team. Connally’s 3-year-old son Thomas is a current student.
“I recommend it all the time to people,” Connally said. “These instructors know what they’re doing and they all have the same training.”
Connally said she also appreciates LKSA’s emphasis on water safety and the incremental and consistent approach to learning.
LKSA was developed by four-time American Olympic gold-medalist Lenny Krayzelburg.
It’s a very methodical step-by-step process, divided into seven levels. Each level is broken down into a series of skills. Once all the skills in a level have been mastered, the student moves on to the next.
Every time a certain skill is learned, the student gets a sticker that helps track their progress and acts as a motivator. Each student also has their own sticker workbook that shows exactly where they are skill-wise. Having such a detailed record handy makes it easy when a student has a substitute instructor than usual, or if parents want to work on certain skills outside of class.
Joining LKSA starts with an evaluation lesson where the instructors determine at which level the student should start.
Children under 24 months old start in the parent-tot class, which includes a parent in the water, in addition to the child and instructor. The class is 25 minutes long and focuses on becoming comfortable in the water and learning important safety skills. The process is enhanced with fun activities like singing “London Bridge” and “Ring Around the Rosie” while perfecting particular skills.
For students older than 24 months, Levels 1 and 2 focus on water safety. Kids learn how to float and get accustomed to things like putting their face in the water. Levels 3 and 4 focus on skills including kicking, and breathing while swimming on your side.
Students start working on specific strokes, such as freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly in Levels 5, 6 and 7, with an emphasis on endurance, proper form, and technique.
Customarily, students take one 25-30 minute group lesson a week. Private lessons are also available.
LKSA lessons are offered year-round. Contact JCC Aquatics Director Johnny Kimberlin at 502-238-2742 or call the LKSA Hotline at 502-238-2758 for more information and to register.
The JCC is located at 3600 Dutchmans Lane.
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