URI students are welcomed to learn beginner friendly water skills with Campus Recreation at our Ram Swim 101 classes this fall, free of charge. If you are a new or inexperienced swimmer looking to be more confident around bodies of water, students have the opportunity to build confidence in the water while practicing wellness and physical activity. The final sessions of the semester start October 22 and November 5 at 6:30p.m. until 7:15p.m. at Tootell Aquatic Center. URI students who are curious about water skills are encouraged to register.
Six students in the first session received a variety of experiences during the class. There were three instructors which gave the class a diverse range of focused skill learning by dividing up into groups. One student received one-on-one instruction to learn to float, this is a first step to tremendous improvement. Learning to float as an adult is tricky but important. While floating may seem like second nature to most, according to Swimfinity, “Only about 50% of adults report they can perform basic water skills to save their lives.” Floating is the first step to protecting yourself from harm in deep water, that is a scary statistic. Ram Swim 101 is a course that removes the stigma around inexperienced swimmers, everyone deserves to be confident in different water depths.
One instructor worked with two students as they used floating barbells to kick across the pool, then moving onto the arm motion of swimming. This set up the students to break down the skill before putting it all together in the end. A group of three friends worked with barbells and noodles as they floated and practiced swimming. The group laughed and played all while learning which eased lots of nerves around attending an unfamiliar course. The class was broken down from least experience to most while still teaching very beginner friendly water capabilities. The instructors had the 6 students in 4 feet and 5 inches of water. The students were all in water they could stand in, but deep enough to swim without touching the bottom.
The class is more than just a learning opportunity, some students came with friends, which relieved the weariness, and they ended up laughing when they floated with noodles. Ram Swim 101 can be an opportunity to be with friends while learning something new. Swimming is one of the best forms of physical activity, as the water takes pressure off of your body and you experience less strain and sweat. Bring a towel, swimsuit, and some friends who share an interest in learning down to Tootell Aquatic Center this fall.
Instructor Charlotte O’Malley was a highlight of the event and included some motivation for students to sign up: “It is hard. That is why you should do it (Ram Swim 101). The instructors are really sweet, and I know it can be socially hard to push yourself.” Encouraging the students comes with the job. Sara Mazur, the Aquatics Specialist, also gave a statement on what Ram Swim is all about, “To get the students down to the pool and increase their ability to access the pool with the programming we offer. With that comes the equal opportunity to use the pool, that was where Ram Swim was born.” If students have no idea what is happening down at the pool, they are less likely to come dip their toes in. Tootell Aquatics Center is open to the students and locals, this program is the opportunity for students to come check it out twice a week and familiarize themselves with what Campus Recreation has to offer besides the gyms.
In my 5 years of experience working in water safety, I consistently saw patrons without standard skills to float or keep their face above water. Going from lifeguard to supervisor, I took the safety more seriously because I could move more freely around the facility. I could see potential danger that younger lifeguards do not notice. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to be confident around any body of water by signing up for this class.
Campus Rec offers a plethora of fitness and wellness opportunities, attending Ram Swim 101 is using Campus Rec to its full potential while also gaining experiences. Learning to swim can be intimidating and frustrating, with kind instructors and zero cost, Ram Swim 101 is hard to pass up. Encourage your friends and yourself to allow yourself the opportunity to have confidence around any body of water. This is the Ocean State after all, register through https://rhodyrec.uri.edu/.
By: Maya Kelly
Major: English Creative Writing Major
Graduating by: May 2027