The Vashon Park District is offering an increasing amount of recreational programming for people of all ages and interests, and online registration is now open for various spring and summer classes.
With better weather for sea kayaking just around the corner, Robert Teagardin will offer a Basic Kayak Rescue class for ages 18 and up (with some kayak experience). Taught in the warm and covered water of the Vashon pool, the class will focus on self- and assisted-rescues while building the confidence and skills of participants.
In his 10 years of guiding and teaching classes, Teagardin has had kayak adventures in the waters around Puget Sound, Baja, California and British Columbia.
Kayaks, paddles, spray skirts and life jackets will be provided. The cost is $50. The class is set to take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 29. Participants should bring a bathing suit, towel and extra clothes.
Spring and summer swim lessons are also open for registration. Session II of the spring classes runs from March 31 through May 19 on Saturdays and costs $88.25. Classes are available for pre-schoolers through grade-schoolers (P1 through Youth Level 4/5+). Summer will include five sessions running from June 25 through Aug. 31, and will cost $88.25 per session.
The district also offers lifeguard training courses, water aerobics and themed Family Fun Nights at the pool, including one this Friday, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Those who wear green will get a special prize, and there will be relay races to see who winds the pot of gold. The festivities will run from 6 to 8 p.m.
Looking ahead to summer, sailing camp — a staple on the island for decades — will take place again.
For more information on these programs and events, see vashonparks.org.
Finally, the park district is looking to expand programming and will host a public meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, to gather ideas of what the community would like to see going forward. Representatives from the board and staff will be present at the meeting, which is billed as a “programming session for all ages.”
— Sarah Low & Susan Riemer
