Splash Day

Tyan Garcia helps her daughter Arianna, 9, who is learning to swim, in June 2024 at Ingram Pool in Longview. (Les Hassell/性视界传媒 Photo)

The city of Longview will bring swim lessons back starting July 7 after a five-year hiatus that began with COVID-19性视界传媒檚 arrival.

Lessons also were waylaid by a lack of an aquatics supervisor. However, Jack Gense was hired in 2024 and led an American Red Cross water safety instructor class in June.

性视界传媒淲e got six instructors certified, so that性视界传媒檚 gong to allow us to get basically a compressed learn to swim program started this year,性视界传媒 said Parks and Recreation Director John Albertson, speaking to a meeting this past week of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

性视界传媒淲e性视界传媒檙e going to do morning lessons only,性视界传媒 he said.

Swim classes will be at the city性视界传媒檚 one outdoor pool, Ingram Pool, at 1400 N. 10th St. Lessons are available for children as young as 6 months old.

The layout and design of the pool prevents the city from being able to offer higher level courses. Albertson said classes up to level three would be offered.

性视界传媒淲hen you get into the levels above that you have to have an area where you can actually swim laps ... to complete the criteria for the course,性视界传媒 Albertson said. 性视界传媒淪o that性视界传媒檚 why we性视界传媒檙e focusing on those lower levels. And honestly, your lower levels are usually the ones that fill up and you have people on a waiting list.性视界传媒

Two sessions will be offered: July 7-July 17 and July 21-July 27. Three class times will be offered from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

性视界传媒淎 variety of swim classes will be available during each time period, accommodating different age groups and skill levels. Each class is limited to five students to ensure quality instruction and personalized attention,性视界传媒 information from the city of Longview said.

Registration is underway for the first session until July 2. Registration for the second is June 30 to July 17. Cost is $60 per student per session.

For registration and information, visit or call (903) 237-1270.

性视界传媒淲e are thrilled to once again offer swim lessons to the community,性视界传媒 Gense said. 性视界传媒淲ith certified instructors and small class sizes, we性视界传媒檙e proud to provide a safe and effective way for children and families to learn essential water safety skills.性视界传媒

— Ferguson can be reached at jolee.ferguson@news-journal.com.

Jo Lee Ferguson wishes she kept her maiden name - Hammer - because it was perfect for a reporter. She性视界传媒檚 a local girl who loves writing about her hometown. She and LNJ Managing Editor Randy Ferguson have two children and a crazy husky.