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Take the Plunge . . . Your prescription to better health, fitness

• Take The Plunge Flier (PDF 499 KB)
• Take the Plunge Brochure (PDF 821 KB)
• Take the Plunge FAQ (PDF 132 KB)
• Take The Plunge Overview (PDF 298 KB)
• Swimming Lesson Curriculum - Intermediate (PDF 212 KB)
• Medical Professionals Information (PDF 271 KB)
• Take the Plunge Prescription Pad (PDF 60.1 KB)
• Swimming Lesson Registration Form (PDF 241 KB)
• City Swimming Pool Map (PDF 417 KB)

The Parks and Recreation Department invites the local medical community to join it in providing youngsters the opportunity to "Take the Plunge," and improve their health through a swimming prescription program. "Doctors will be able to prescribe swimming lessons for any health condition in which a child would benefit from exercise," explains Recreation Manager Lyn Kinton. "What we want to do is encourage a child to get involved in swimming as a livelong healthy habit. By learning to swim, they can continue to exercise on their own."

Doctors interested in participating in the program, which will be available through December of this year, can call the Aquatics Section at (210) 207-3113 for more information.

Parents may also initiate participation by talking with their family physicians about whether this program will benefit their child and requesting that the physician contact the Parks and Recreation Department for the prescription packet.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming is a way to prevent childhood obesity, which has been linked to juvenile diabetes. It provides a cardiovascular workout that promotes heart and lung health, improves strength and flexibility, increases stamina, and improves balance and posture. Swimming puts less strain on joints and connective tissues than other forms of exercise.

Other cities participating in the grant-funded program include Bismarck, ND, Yuba, CA, Annapolis, MD, and McMinnville, TN.

Learning to swim has the added benefit of helping children to feel more confident," Kinton notes. "In South Texas, it’s a way for children to stay cool in the summer, stay physically active in an outdoor setting, and learn an important skill that will help keep them safe in the water throughout their lives."

For more information on the Take the Plunge for Better Health Program, call 207-3113.