Tiffanee Edwards coaches a student during YMCA swim lessons at the Clanton City Pool. (Photo by Keith McCoy)

By Alec Etheredge | Staff Writer

Splashing, kicking, dog paddling, these are all characteristics that describe Tiffanee Edwards’ YMCA of Chilton County’s swimming lessons taking place at the Clanton City Pool.

Edwards said she absolutely loves being in the pool and that she almost feels more comfortable in water than on land. She’s been teaching these classes for 15 years and has been a lifeguard since the age of 15 or 16.

The classes are split up into two age groups, 3-6 year olds and 7-12 year olds. The younger kids focus on freestyle and backstroke and tend to stay in the shallow end while the older kids add in the breaststroke and get to take on the challenge of the deep end.

Tyson, one of the younger kids, said he was scared to jump in the deep end because he might sink straight to the bottom of the pool.

“Being able to get kids in the water and making them comfortable enough to swim is the reason I do this,” Edwards said. “I want them to know that they can jump in and get back to the edge by themselves. It’s mainly a safety thing so they feel comfortable around water.”

She just wants to see kids in the water playing and having fun like she’s always done.

“I like it all,” said student Chloe Davidson. “No one will ever get me out of here.”

There was no mistake that the kids were having fun just as Edwards had hoped. At one point one of the kids said “chickens are allowed in the pool,” which caused the group to start acting like chickens and screaming chicken noises before jumping in.

Edwards said that she firmly believed in getting infants in the pool because the younger they become familiar with the water the more comfortable they are.

“If the parents can get them in the water to splash around and play, then it’s so much easier in the long run,” Edwards said.

If you’d like to sign your kid up, there is still one more two-week session scheduled for July 18-28. The 7-12 year olds start at 8:00 a.m. and the 3-6 year olds start at 9:00 a.m. Lessons cost $40 for YMCA members and $70 for non-members.