AVAC SWIM SCHOOL® CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF TEACHING CHILDREN TO SWIM

(SANEPR.com) June 8, 2009 -- SAN JOSE, Calif. – June 05, 2009 –AVAC Swim School, one of the largest learn-to-swim programs in the nation, today announced that June marks the celebration of its 45th anniversary teaching Bay Area families to swim. In recognition of this significant milestone and coupled with National Safety Month, AVAC offers the community water safety tips to ensure a fun, healthy and safe summer.

“June marks the 45th year that AVAC Swim School has been teaching generations of South Bay families to swim while encouraging water safety practices,” said Joe Shank, Owner and CEO of the Almaden Valley Athletic Club® (AVAC). “As summer nears, water activities become more popular. Parents and caretakers need to be cautious and alert to help prevent accidental drowning and any related injuries.”

Before children go near any body of water, AVAC Swim School reminds parents to:

? Never leave a child unsupervised near water. Always maintain a constant watch over children by a pool, lake or other body of water.
? Stay within arms reach of young and non-swimming children.
? Teach children proper “pool etiquette” and safety so they know how to behave in and around the water.
? Make sure there are proper barriers and protection in place when the pool is not in use. Fences, locks, gates and alarms may save a child from danger.
? Learn and review rescue techniques, such as CPR. It’s important to be able to take quick action, rather than waiting for help.
? Develop and keep a rescue plan in case of emergency. This may include a first-aid kit or other applicable rescue equipment. Keep emergency telephone numbers and a phone nearby.
? Teach children to swim and provide them with on-going swim lessons for continued improvement of swimming skills.

“Summer is the time when accidental drowning and water injuries occur most often,” said Sue Davis, AVAC General Manager and Swim School Director. “At AVAC, we strongly recommend that children learn how to swim as one preventative measure against drowning and related injuries. It is equally important for parents to be alert and ready to act in case of an emergency. AVAC’s free Community Day Open House will provide helpful safety tips to help everyone have a fun, healthy and safe summer.”

AVAC will host its “Kick off Your Summer” Community Day Open House with demonstration classes, swim stroke assessments and child fingerprinting by the San Jose Police Department on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is open and free to the entire community.

For more information about the AVAC Swim School, please visit, www.avac.us/swimschool. For those interested in attending AVAC’s free Community Day Open House, please visit www.avac.us/communityday.

About AVAC Swim School
The AVAC Swim School began enrolling students in 1976, as part of the Almaden Valley Athletic Club’s full facility offerings. In 2000, its state-of-the-art indoor pool opened to provide a year-round swim school program. Each week, the AVAC Swim School teaches 3,500 people ages six months to adults to learn to love swimming.


About the Almaden Valley Athletic Club
The Almaden Valley Athletic Club (AVAC), is the Bay Area's premier, award-winning family facility that offers total health, fitness and wellness programs for all ages. AVAC's resort-style facility features luxurious amenities, Pilates, swimming, tennis and social activities as well as a 1,500 square-foot ChildCare facility with play-to-learn activities. The 6,000 square-foot Fitness Center offers the latest workout equipment with Cardio Theatre. Certified personal trainers offer one-on-one and small group training and certified fitness instructors teach a variety of group classes. AVAC houses its own 1200 square-foot Pilates studio. AVAC offers a retractable roof teaching pool for year-round swimming lessons and a 25-yard outdoor swimming pool. Winner of the coveted USTA Club of the Year award, AVAC hosts numerous tennis programs on its 11 lighted tennis courts. AVAC is home to the largest Bay Area Wellness program fostering senior fitness with workshops, seminars, group exercise classes and social events. For more information, please visit http://www.avac.us.

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Crisel Ortiz
MSR Communications
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