Make a splash, sign up for District 214 Community Education's aquatics program
District 214 Community Education is making a bigger splash this fall with a full schedule of its three aquatics programs: WHAM Winter Swim Team, Cardinal Water Polo and Scuba Diving.
Young swimmers could register for the following classes that will start on September 23 to March 7: Dynamos (6-8 years old), Chargers (9-10 years old), Turbo (11-12 years old), and Power (13-18 years old). Schedule for the high school boys' team is September 23 to November 18 and high school girls will start November 11 to March 7.
"Our daughter Juliett joined WHAM for the first time this past year and had a great experience," Claudette Boeykens of Mount Prospect said. "She met youth from the whole area. Kids coming together to enjoy what they like is what makes it so fun."
WHAM, a competitive swim team, trains swimmers all year round to compete at age-appropriate levels. Coaches will teach techniques, encourage continued growth, help swimmers build self-confidence and cultivate teamwork. Additionally, coaches will teach stroke mechanics, promote nutrition and set personal goals for swimmers in a positive environment.
Bobby Akhter of Wheeling said that his son Adam enjoyed the competition. "This was the first time he had been on a swim team," he said. "I really think the coaches made him a better swimmer. He looks forward to being on the team again in the fall. I have also told others about WHAM swim team," Akhter added.
The WHAM Aquatics swim team is a member of the Northern Illinois Swim Conference. WHAM is not a learn-to-swim program.
Cardinal Water Polo will have two groups that starts September 15 to November 17.
Under the Fall Age Group Team, for ages 10 to 15 years old, newcomers with limited water polo experience will be trained. Coaches will use drills and practice routines that align with best practices to prepare this group for the high school level.
The Fall Boys Experienced Team, for high school students, will focus on developing players with at least one season of high school competition. Practice and competitions are focused on skill-level experiences and grouping.
The winter teams, Age Group Team for ages 10-15 years old and Girls Experienced Team for high school, will start on December 1 to February 17.
Community Education, for the last seven years, has offered a scuba diving class and this fall, the class is scheduled on Thursdays from September 27 to October 25. It will cover the fundamentals of diving and will teach students the skills necessary to become a certified scuba diver.
The class uses the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) system of training, the most popular in the world. After completing the class, students will be eligible to attend open water certification dives with The Tritons Scuba Club, a successful scuba organization in the Chicago area that has been around for 51 years.
"I enjoy teaching the class in Community Education," said Richard Schak, The Tritons' training director for the past 30 years and a PADI scuba course director. "Our scuba club, a nonprofit organization, is excited to share the sport with enthusiasts in the area. Community Education has given us this platform."
To register, visit ce.d214.org or call 847-718-7700.