Pool opens to hundreds of swimmers, free lessons begin

The Vashon Pool was a popular place on the island last weekend when it opened for the season. More than 200 people enjoyed the clear water and sunny skies on both Saturday and Sunday, according to Aquatics Director Scott Bonney. A crowd was also expected on Monday.

The pool is open weekends only through June 25 and will begin its full summer schedule on June 26. Each day in both the preseason and summer schedules, the pool offers lap swims, open swims and an evening family/lap swim combination. Masters swims, water polo and swimming lessons are also offered.

New this year is a program called Vashon Swim for All, which meets at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays for people of any age who have not learned how to swim or would like to swim better. When the program was originally introduced this year, the park district planned to charge for each session. That has now been changed, Bonney said, and the program will be free. Bonney also noted that there are funds available to provide scholarships for regular lessons, which meet five days a week for two-week periods throughout the summer.

“We are on an island surrounded by an amazing array of aquatic resources. We are making it our mission to teach everyone who wants to to learn how to swim,” he said.

For more information, see vashonparks.org or call the pool at 463-3787.