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Aquatic ProgramsWelcome to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s aquatic program! We hope you enjoy your class and welcome any comments about our programs and facilities. Each RECenter has an Aquatic Supervisor who is responsible for the aquatic programs and facilities at the site. Please contact that person should you have any questions or concerns.
Programs include:
If you wish to participate in competitive swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, scuba diving or water polo, you can do so at the RECenters in programs offered by private groups that rent pool space. The specialty programs provide an important extension to offerings and broaden the scope of services offered. Important Information About Aquatics
Pool Safety Park Authority staff members work diligently to assure a safe environment for all who use the indoor pools at the agency’s eight RECenters, the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax Park, and the outdoor Martin Luther King pool in Alexandria. FCPA lifeguards are certified by the National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Training Program. All guards participate in monthly in-service training and are graded in unannounced audits to evaluate performance levels. Lifeguards also have designated pool protection zones which must be scanned every 10 seconds. To further raise the standard of care, pools were equipped with AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) in 2001. To date, the devices have saved the lives of two RECenter customers, both found unconscious and without a pulse following cardiac arrest. Their hearts were shocked with AEDs to reset the beat to the proper rhythm, and both victims were breathing well when emergency medical teams arrived to transport them to hospitals. Water quality is carefully monitored to assure clarity, adequate sanitation and chemical balance. In pump rooms, water is monitored, filtered and sanitized using high-tech computer regulators. Pools are vacuumed and decks are cleaned regularly. Additionally, FCPA aquatic staff ensures that all agency pools meet federal, state and local standards for health and safety. Trained Instructors FCPA learn-to-swim instructors are certified by the American Red Cross as water safety instructors. The Red Cross WSI program is the most comprehensive training program of its kind. Instructors go through 35 hours of training prior to becoming certified. Additionally, the Park Authority offers quarterly in-service training in order to keep instructors up to date on trends and the newest teaching techniques. FCPA instructors also have access to a team of mentors, four individuals with over 100 years of combined teaching experience who develop training programs for mentors and who work with instructors needing individual help. Aqua fitness instructors must, at the order of the Fairfax County Attorney, be certified by an internationally recognized certifying agency in order to lead aqua fitness classes at the Park Authority. While some instructors come to the agency already having completed a certification class, agency staff certifies most instructors currently teaching aqua fitness. In order to maintain certifications, instructors must attend continuing education workshops where they will learn new trends, safety and new techniques. |
FCPA aquatic programs offer options for all. From infants to senior citizens to people with special needs, the agency serves all levels of swimming ability and the full spectrum of aquatic interests.