HPARD to offer swim classes

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will be offering Learn to Swim classes at various locations.

The classes, open to both children and adults, will cost $30, which is required per session (checks may be made payable to American Red Cross).

Individuals interested may register for the Learn to Swim classes online at the HPARD website (www.houstonredcross.org) or the Houston Area American Red Cross site (www.houstonredcross.org).

Registration forms, along with payment, should be mailed to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 397, Houston, TX 77001-0397.

Credit card payments may be made by phone at 713-313-1614, by mail or in person at the ARC Chapter Headquarters, located at 2700 Southwest Freeway in Houston (cash payments may only be made at this location).

Preregistration will also be available at select pools; see preregistration schedule below for locations, dates and times.

Classes are offered to those age 6 and older and are scheduled for 40-minute sessions Tuesdays through Fridays now through Aug. 17, with each session lasting two weeks. The first class of each session will focus on the evaluation of individual skills, and a parent or guardian must be present during each class.

For a schedule of fees, visit www.houstoncityfees.org.

Preregistration for session IV will be available July 17 and July 20, with morning registration times being held from 8:30-9 a.m. and an evening time of 4:30-5 p.m.

The session IV classes will be held July 24 to Aug. 5 (Tuesday and Thursday), with morning classes going from 9-11 a.m. and evening classes being held from 5-8 p.m.

Morning classes will be held at the following locations: Greenwood, located at 602 Beresford, 713-455-5165; Judson Robinson Sr., located at 1422 Ledwicke, 713-672-8958; Lansdale, located at 8201 Roos, 713-272-3687; Love, located at 1000 W. 12th, 713-867-0490; MacGregor, located at 5225 Calhoun, 713-748-0317; and Tidwell, located at 9720 Spaulding, 713-633-1618.

Evening classes will be held at the following pools: Agnes Moffitt, located at 10645 Hammerly, 713-468-5666; Alief, located at 11903 Bellaire, 281-983-8137; MacGregor, located at 5225 Calhoun, 713-748-0317; Memorial, located at 6402 Arnot, 713-862-1426; Moody, located at 3201 Fulton, 713-238-2215; Sharpstown, located at 6600 Harbor Town, 713-272-3690; T.C. Jester, located at 4205 W. T.C. Jester, 713-686-6800; and Townwood, located at 3402 Simsbrook, 713-434-3531.

Levels include preschool aquatics (offered at Townwood pool only, with classes starting at 4:30 p.m.), level 1 (introduction to water, with classes starting at 9:10 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.), level 2 (water skills, with classes starting at 10 a.m. and 6:05 p.m.), levels 3 and 4 (stroke development, with classes starting at 6:55 p.m. and not offered at Townwood) and adult lessons (offered only at Memorial and Sharptown pools, with classes starting at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.).