By David Liscio
The Daily Item
Monday, September 1, 2003

LYNN -- The killer whale swim team is back at the Greater Lynn YMCA, along with a new co-ed athletic league, Latin dance classes, self-defense instruction and expanded youth programs.

Senior Program Director Donna Nielsen explained that the programs are tailored to coincide with the start of the academic year.

"I'm really excited by all these new programs," she said, adding that several special events are scheduled for early September, such as a bicycle trip and a spiritual workshop.

The killer whale swim team is an 8-week aquatics program that begins Sept. 15. Registration is Sept. 8. Youth membership at the YMCA is required prior to team membership.

Children will practice in the evening, between one and four times weekly, depending on age and swimming ability. Basic swim skills are a must.

The sessions are a 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. during the week. On Saturday, the lessons run every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents are asked to leave the pool area while lessons are in progress. There is a registration brochure for actual times and appropriate class level for each child.

Swim lessons cost $96 for members and are held on Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday. The Saturday class is $48.

The non-member rate is $192 for the Monday and Wednesday class, or the Tuesday and Thursday class. The Saturday class is $96.

Jen Clarke, the head coach, can be reached at (781) 581-3105, ext. 28. For more information about the team or other aquatic programs, call aquatic director John Kurkul at the same number. Adult swim, private swim, and lifeguard classes are also available.

The YMCA is also sponsoring a free, two-hour personal safety class for women on Sept. 11, at 6 p.m.

“The StaySafe! Workshop is for women age 18 and older who are concerned about personal safety and for their families. It's an overview program that gives you the facts and shows you the alternatives,” said Nielsen.

The free workshop allows participants to compare your perceptions about specific safety risks, understand the alternatives to keep from being victimized, learn the benefits and risks of each self-protection technique, and to find our more about personal safety resources. Offered by the New England Women's Safety Outreach, Inc., a non-profit organization providing safety education and training for women, the workshop serves as an introduction to related hands-on courses offered by the organization later in September.

It also covers what women should know about the law, which personal safety devices are most useful, and how to take realistic and practical measures to protect home and family.

“The workshop addresses prevention of harm from stranger attacks, such as assault, rape, robbery, home invasions, Internet predators and the fast growing crime of identity theft,” Nielsen said.

On Sept. 25, at 6 p.m., the YMCA sponsors a free Unarmed Self-defense Workshop for women. No previous self-defense experience is necessary. The workshop will teach a “short list” of effective techniques that can be used to ward off attackers.

“These are tried-and-true techniques for people who don't wish to make a career out of learning self-defense,” said Nielsen, noting that military and law enforcement personnel routinely use these techniques. “They aren't dependent on upper-body strength, making them effective for a smaller person against a larger attacker.”

The YMCA is also offering a series of 4-week adult programs, most of which are $32 for members and $46 for non-members. They include Walk to Run on Sundays from 8-9 a.m.; WOW (Women on Weights) on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. or Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; Get Real Exercise Weight Loss on Mondays at noon; and Introduction to Exercise and Fitness on Fridays at 11 a.m.

An osteoporosis prevention exercise class is also available free to members on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

Among the upcoming special programs is a bicycle trip on Sunday, Sept. 7, starting at 10 a.m. The group will meet members from the Melrose and Malden YMCAs at the gazebo at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, and pedal to Smolak Farms in North Andover. The trip covers 15-20 miles. No registration fee will be charged.

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the YMCA offers a Spiritual Workshop with psychometry and spiritual readings by Linnea. Participants should bring a photograph or an object from someone who has died and expect to receive messages from that person. Payment is due at registration. Space is limited. The fee is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

The YMCA is also planning to offer a personal trainer certification program on Oct. 18 and 19, and a Pilates stretching and isometric exercise workshop on Nov. 8 and 9.

For more information, call Nielsen at (781) 581-3105, ext. 33.

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