By no means too late: Two Lake Charles Ladies conquer worry of water

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Aquaphobia, the worry of water, is likely one of the commonest fears amongst people. But two Lake Charles girls are proving it’s by no means too late to face that worry one swimming lesson at a time.

Janet Broussard and Sandra Thibodeaux are regulars at Ward 3 Recreation’s natatorium, the place they’ve spent the final a number of months perfecting their backstroke, breaststroke, and even placing their heads underwater – issues neither lady ever imagined she would do.

For Thibodeaux, the choice to take swimming classes at 69 years outdated was deeply private.

“I decided I wasn’t going to be afraid of water anymore,” Thibodeaux mentioned. “So I said let me give it a try. I didn’t tell my kids. I just came out here and did it and I tell you it’s been an experience at 69.”

Thibodeaux says she spent many years ensuring her kids and grandchildren realized to swim however by no means signed up herself out of worry.

“I got my kids and grandkids into swimming lessons but I had never went for the fear of water because I didn’t like water in my face,” she mentioned. “And so, now, it’s awesome.”

Broussard echoed that very same sense of pleasure and progress.

“I’m enjoying it. I really am. I can roll over, I can go forward, I can breaststroke,” Broussard mentioned. “I’m excited about learning just those few techniques.”

Thibodeaux described her journey from full newbie to assured swimmer.

“The water is warm. It’s comfortable and she takes you at a snail’s pace,” Thibodeaux mentioned. “So, like I said, I went from not even knowing how to get in water to blowing bubbles like a five year old.”

Ward 3 Recreation presents swimming classes to anybody in the neighborhood for only one greenback per lesson, making it probably the most inexpensive choices within the area.

Each lesson is instructed by Aquatics Director Renee Fontenot, who has been instructing swimming for greater than 36 years.

“It’s wonderful. There’s nothing like it,” Fontenot mentioned. “So, I guess that my adrenaline rush is trying to get someone from not knowing how to swim to learning. So, we had Ms. Denise who went on a cruise, came back and said, ‘Renee, the fear is gone. I can swim. I swam with the fish.’ And it was wonderful.”

Both girls say Fontenot’s calm, affected person strategy made all of the distinction.

“Renee, she’s really patient and always encouraging,” Broussard mentioned. “Even though you do something wrong, she still encourages you to do it again and keep practicing.”

Fontenot says Ward 3 Recreation expects to supply practically 4,000 swimming classes this summer time alone, with lessons obtainable for each kids and adults.

Summer classes are set to start June 1 on the University and Second Ave. location. No reservation is required. Participants can merely present up and enroll. Classes are supplied at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Fontenot recommends arriving not less than half-hour early as spots fill shortly.

Ward 3 Recreation is presently in search of 10 new lifeguards to assist instruct and supervise swimmers this summer time. The facility employs lifeguards as younger as 16 years outdated, and Fontenot can also be providing certification lessons for these trying to grow to be licensed lifeguards.

Anyone 16 and older all in favour of turning into a lifeguard is inspired to contact Ward 3 Recreation instantly at 337-746-6855.