Winter swim lessons at MASH start next month; public pool access to increase

The Medford Area Senior High pool is a busy place during the winter months but opportunities for public use will increase in February, according to Aquatics and Fitness Center Director Mandy Haenel.

Already open for lap swims, Sunday open swims and water aerobics classes, February will open up chances for the public to participate in swim lessons, even more lap swims and additional water aerobics courses, which Haenel leads.

Swim lessons

Registration for winter swim lessons will open on Monday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. and run through Feb. 1. Class size is limited, so act early to get your spot.

The registration and cost information is available on the Medford School District webpage (medford.k12.wi.us) or can be accessed through the MASH Aquatics-Medford, WI Facebook page. The registration links will go live at those pages on Monday.

Parent/Toddler classes (ages 6 months-3 years) will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on five Sundays, Feb. 11 and 18 and March 10, 17 and 24. A parent/guardian/ adult relative/older sibling must be in the water with the child.

Pre-school classes (ages 4-5) will be held on the same five Sundays, Feb. 11 and 18 and March 10, 17 and 24, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Learn to Swim classes (ages 6-17) will be held Monday through Wednesdays with parents being able to choose the two days each week that work best for them. Time choices are 4 to 4:45 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The dates are Feb. 19 through March 20 with no lessons Feb. 26-28 due to spring break.

Instructors will be available to walk with children who attend Medford Area Elementary School and are enrolled in the 4 p.m. classes.

Adult swimming lessons will be held on Wednesday evenings in March from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Haenel said there are plans to hold private lessons as well once the sign-ups are complete for the other lesson classes.

Swim lesson participants are asked to enter the building through the main Sands doors.

Water aerobics

Water aerobics is currently held at the pool on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., but starting in February, a Tuesday class will also be offered at 9:30 a.m. each week.

The classes are 45 minutes in length and the cost is $5 per session.

Haenel said she hopes to also introduce water Zumba in the near future as well. She said both activities are perfect for those who like to exercise/dance but their joints don’t always tolerate hard impact.

Open laps/swim

Currently, the MASH pool is available for open public swimming each Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. It is open for early morning lap swim from 5:15 to 6:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There are Wednesday evening lap swims from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday lap swims from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Haenel said the goal is to have open lap or open swim seven days a week starting in February once the boys high school and youth swim club seasons are over.

Lap/open swim participants should enter the building through Door 8 on the West end of the building.

Printed monthly calendars are available at the pool.

For additional information or questions, contact Haenel at 715-748-5951 extension 4404 or haenema@medford.k12. wi.us.