Tom Baker grew up in Seneca Falls, just a few miles away from Cayuga Lake. He’s been around water pretty much his whole life. But when he retired and heard about the Adult Learn to Swim program, Baker was intrigued. The only formal swimming lessons he’d taken were when he was a little kid. He figured his skills could use some refining. So he signed up. That was 22 years ago, but Baker is still a regular at the program. These days, he’s an instructor, helping others feel comfortable in the water. Classes are held on Friday mornings at the University at Albany while school is in session. Running from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the classes are split into levels based on ability. Non-swimmers start at level one, while the most advanced swimmers are in level six. The program is open to anyone 18 or older. There are two options, a 12-week session and a six-week session. Classes are small; on a recent morning, there were 15 people in the pool. Joining Baker on the pool deck and in the water are several other retirees. Catherine Harrington, 89, brought her kids to swimming lessons when they were young and later made sure all of her grandchildren knew how to swim, too. Somewhere along the line, she got certified as an instructor. She works with level one swimmers, a post that she finds immensely satisfying. “They’re so pleased with themselves when they progress,” she said.
Baker likes seeing that progress. He originally had no intention of being a teacher, but someone talked him into it, and he enjoyed it enough that he’s still at it more than two decades later. At 83, he enjoys staying busy in retirement. When Nancy Smith retired in 1995 as a physical education teacher from the Bethlehem Central School District, she wasn’t sure how she was going to stay busy. An active lifeguard and water safety instructor, she felt the learn to swim program would be a great fit when someone mentioned it to her in 1996. There are enough instructors in the program right now that Smith isn’t necessarily needed. But she still enjoys spending time at the pool and helping where she can, offering suggestions or doing demonstrations. “It’s nice to have an extra set of eyes,” she said.
The instructors mix easily with the students, talking both in and out of the pool, patiently showing off techniques and laughing during lessons. It’s a scene Tom Finn used to be on the fringes of, sitting up in the balcony and reading books while his wife taught classes. Like Baker, Finn had no intention of being an instructor himself. But one day Marjorie Finn told her husband, “Come on down.” Why not? he thought. So he went and completed the necessary tests to teach, joking, “I dove for an hour.” Marjorie Finn is closing in on 50 years of teaching. She’s 86 and still enjoys sharing a love of the water as much as she ever has. There is no timetable on how long it takes to complete the course. People move through the levels at their own pace, finishing each one when they pass a test to demonstrate they have the necessary skills. The 12-week program, which costs $60, started on Jan. 27 and runs through April 27. A six-week session costing $36 started Jan. 27, and a second kicks off on March 9. There is free parking available near the pool, which is part of UAlbany’s athletic complex. For more information, call Membership Sales Office at 437-3739.