Join in Epic Aquafit Extravaganza at "Y" on Feb. 5

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Doreen Barnes

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EMC News - What do you have with one very large pool, multiple instructors and the most participants ever? The Epic Aquafit fundraiser event!

On Sunday, Feb. 5, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the Brockville and Area YMCA, 345 Park Street will host the first ever largest aquafit class in the D.B. Green Pool.

"It started with Tony Stevens saying we should have a competition with the aquafit classes because the more people we have, the more fun it is," says lifeguard/instructor Ali Hartle.

As soon as lifeguard/instructor Louise Bonvie heard about Tony's suggestion she added her thought of inviting several instructors and to use the occasion as a fundraiser.

"So we decided to do this (epic aquafit extravaganza) for the YMCA Strong Kids Annual Giving Campaign," says Bonvie. "We wanted to do it in the New Year so people who want to commit to fitness or to commit the community could participate as a part of a New Year's program."

The YMCA Strong Kids Annual Giving Campaign covers the full cost for individuals or families to participate in the Y's programs and activities which otherwise would be unaffordable to them.

This could mean assisting a family with child care, sending a child to day camp or to be able to take part in some physical or recreational activity.

There is no cost for the Epic Aquafit event and it is limited to the first 150 people who register.

"We are asking that people take a pledge sheet and collect whatever they are able to collect as there is no minimum," states Bonvie. "We are more interested in people coming to participate. Whatever you can get is fine with us and we have free child care while adults are participating in the event."

When individuals register at the Y, they will automatically receive a pledge sheet.

According to Hartle it's not about the money, it's more of making people aware of what the Y has to offer.

"It's obviously about raising money," says Hartle. "But it's good and it's fun for us as it raises awareness about the Y with people coming in to see how great a place it actually is. We want to get as many people as we can, to try something new."

Hartle and Bonvie indicate that people do not have to know how to swim or even be a member of the Y to join in the event.

"You don't have to swim, you don't have to have any fitness level as long as your doctor says you can exercise," tells Bonvie. "We have floatation devices available. If you can exercise, you can do aquafit."

Anyone 13 years of age and older are invited to sign up.

Check-in is 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., the day of the Epic Aquafit Extravaganza.

All you need is a towel, swimsuit, bottled water, pledge sheet with money and enthusiasm.

Aquafit is very popular at the local Y with 10 classes per week.

"This is a low impact workout," says Bonvie, "which is great for people who have knee, joints or hip issues."

Aside from the aquafit classes, the Y offers swim classes starting at six months old.

"We transition from two and three years old, then the three year olds can take lessons by themselves," states Bonvie. "We also have adult lessons with no limit on that. We also offer scuba diving and run certification classes (first aid, rescues, victim identification) to become a lifeguard."

There's a Junior Lifeguard Club for children, 10 years of age to 16 where they learn the same type of lifeguarding skills.

Hartle went on to say that the aquafit class brings in the most people as far as the class size, because anyone can do aquafit. When the Epic Aquafit event ends there will be snacks, coffee and muffins available for sale.

"We would love feedback as this is the first time we are doing this," states Bonvie. "We have comment cards available at the front desk and if we can make it (Epic Aquafit) better, we want to know that."

For more information, people can call (613) 342-7961 and go to the YMCA's website at www.brockvilley.com or Goggle Facebook Epic Aquafit.

"This is the first annual," says Hartle. "We are hoping if this goes well that we can do this once a year and each year it will get bigger and bigger. We also hope in a few years to have a Zumba (popular Latin dance) class going on as well as the aquafit."

So pick up the telephone and register today!




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