OCEAN CITY – With the fall season arriving this month, Ocean Pines Aquatics is transitioning into off-season activities, which include swimming lessons, exercise classes and fun family activities.
The Ocean Pines Aquatics Sports Core Pool, located at 11444 Cathell Road, is a heated indoor pool with the depth of the pool ranging from three to 12 feet. It’s equipped with a water slide with plenty of room to lounge poolside with chair and table seating.
Ocean Pines Aquatics Director Colby Phillips was named to her post in April after working with the Ocean City Beach Patrol for 21 years as well as an instructor for Ocean Pines Aquatics since 2007.
“I was really excited to take the position,” she said. “We are adding more activities into the pool because a lot of people don’t know we are open to the public, so we are reaching out to all areas. We have so much potential here to offer programs to both children and adults because there isn’t much to do around here in the winter time.”
Ocean Pines Aquatics and its Sports Core Pool is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The daily swim fees are $8 for adults and $6 for children who are residents and $9 for adults and $7 for children who are non-residents.
Ocean Pines Aquatics is starting up youth swim lessons again this month. All groups are arranged by age first, but then broken down into swimming capabilities. The younger you get children into the pool the better, Phillips said.
The Starfish group is ages 3 to 5 years old and is held Wednesdays from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The first session is held from Sept. 24 to Oct. 29. The second session is held Nov. 5 to Dec. 17 and the third session is held Jan. 7 to Feb. 11.
The Guppies group is ages 5 to 7 years old and is held Saturdays from 9 to 9:45 p.m. The first session is held from Sept. 27 to Nov. 1. The second session is held from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20 and the third session is held from Jan. 10 to Feb. 14.
The Dolphins and Marlins group is age 7 to 12 years old and is held Mondays from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The first session is Sept. 22 to Oct. 27. The second session is held from Nov. 3 to Dec. 15 and the third session is held Jan. 5 to Feb. 9.
Private lessons are also available, according to Phillips.
Baby and Me is for ages 6 to 18 months and is offered on Tuesdays from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Session one is from Oct. 7 to Nov. 11, and session two is from Jan. 6 to Feb. 10. It is also offered on Saturdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. with session one starting Oct. 11 to Nov. 15, and session two held Jan. 10 to Feb. 14.
Toddler and Me, for ages 18 months to 3 years old, is offered Tuesdays from 9:30-10 a.m. Session one is from Oct. 7 to Nov. 11, and session two is from Jan. 6 to Feb. 10. It is also offered on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with session one starting Oct. 11 to Nov. 15, and session two held Jan 6 to Feb. 10.
There are many aqua fitness classes available for adults, such as Early Bird Swim held Monday through Friday from 6 to 8 a.m. for lap swimming. Shallow Water aerobics class held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 8:50 a.m. Deep Water aerobics class held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 9 a.m., and just Water Aerobics is held Tuesdays and Thursdays held at different times depending on the session dates. Wet Works I water exercise class is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. Wet Works II water exercise class is held Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m.
Super Sharks high-intensity water workout is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 9:50 a.m. Creaky Joints I suited for arthritis and muscular disorders is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 to 11:50 a.m., and Creaky Joints II is held Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 to 11;50 a.m. Rusty Works will help you get back in shape held on Saturdays from 10 to 10:50 a.m., and Shape Ups H20 is a total body workout set to music held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 8:50 a.m.
New this year is Aqua Zumba held on Monday and Wednesday from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Integrating the Zumba philosophy with traditional aquatic fitness disciplines, Aqua Zumba blends it all together into a workout that’s cardio-conditioning, body-toning and exhilarating.
Also new this year is Discover Scuba Program. While not and actual scuba certification, during the experience you will learn how to use scuba equipment in shallow water and get a quick, easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world. For more details or to schedule call 443-333-1011.
A new activity added this year is Friday Family Fun Night on Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Jan. 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. A variety of music will fill the air while food and beverages will be available poolside for a small fee.
Dive-In Movies will start off on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. featuring Finding Nemo and on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. featuring Frozen. A large blow-up movie screen will be set up, so come watch a movie while swimming in the indoor heated pool.
The Winter Junior Lifeguard Program will take place Dec.30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. where Ocean Pines will be training future lifeguards.
To register for any of these classes, call 410-641-7052.