2 minute read
Making a Splash
The Importance of Swimming Safety in the Black Hills
words Mark Petruska
Once your kids have learned how to swim, there are numerous lakes and streams in the Black Hills sure to beckon on those warm summer days.
Favorites with locals and visitors alike include Pactola and Angostura Reservoirs; Sheridan Lake; Hippie Hole; and Devil’s Bathtub.
Be sure to practice safety at all times; stick to designated swimming areas, never let your children swim unattended, and have them stick to water depths they are comfortable with. Apply sunscreen frequently and make sure they drink lots of fluids. Head for shore at the first sign of thunder, and never swim after dark.
There are plenty of places that offer swimming lessons to people of all ages throughout the Black Hills.
The YMCA—with locations in Rapid City, Custer, and Edgemont—offers programs year-round and has scholarships for those who can’t afford the cost of lessons. Other places in Rapid City that offer swim lessons include Horace Mann Pool, Jimmy Hilton Pool in Sioux Park, Parkview Pool, and Roosevelt Swim Center.
In the northern Hills, the Donald E. Young Fitness Center at Black Hills State University and the Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center, Deadwood Recreation Center, Sturgis Community Center, and Belle Fourche Area Community Center all offer lessons.
Evan’s Plunge in Hot Springs also has swim classes available.
With so many lakes and streams in the Black Hills, water safety should be top of mind... even if you aren’t planning on going for a dip.
“Drowning is the leading cause of death in children,” explains Frances Seeley, Aquatics Director with the YMCA of Rapid City. “And the biggest prevention tool for that is swimming lessons.”
Certainly, drowning prevention is a big reason to take swimming lessons — but safety isn’t the only benefit to learning how to swim. Swimming is a lifelong activity you can pursue at any age and is an excellent form of exercise; it’s a full-body cardiovascular workout that utilizes a wide variety of muscles. You’ll burn about 200 calories swimming gently for 30 minutes, twice that of walking. And it’s a low-impact workout, ideal for those who have suffered a physical injury that prevents them from completing other forms of exercise, such as running.
Swimming is good for your mental health, too. Studies show that swimming promotes positive mental health by improving mood and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It also helps boost self-confidence and makes kids eager to try out new activities. It’s even been linked to improved academic performance and a reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Other health benefits of swimming include:
• Improves endurance, flexibility, and coordination
• Tones muscles and builds strength
• Helps you maintain a healthy weight
• Leads to better sleep
• Lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other medical complications
