Old Pool Is Place for Young Swimmers

The San Clemente aquatics club that hosted the 1928 Olympic trials is still giving aspiring young athletes an opportunity to challenge themselves. The typical swimmer now, though, is as likely to be a toddler as a gold medal aspirant.

The infant water course is one of the most popular at the historic Ole Hanson Beach Club, named for San Clemente’s founder and once popular with swimming greats Duke Kahanamoku, Johnny Weismuller and Buster Crabbe, who gave exhibitions and swimming lessons here.

Built in 1927 as a pool and party club, the facility off Avenida Pico overlooking the Pacific Ocean is now one of the county’s few remaining outdoor public pools.

“It’s in such a beautiful location,” said Christine Page, recreation coordinator for the city of San Clemente. “And we offer an array of activities for all ages.”

Those courses include toddler water safety, hydrotherapy sessions, water aerobics and adult beginning swimming lessons.

The infant water class, where children 6 months to 2 years old head into the pool with their parents, is among the most requested.

Sponsored by the American Red Cross, the class introduces toddlers to the water by teaching them to blow bubbles, float on their fronts and backs, roll over and put their faces into the water.

Besides promoting water safety, “it’s a good opportunity for the parents to get in the pool and share a special time with their children,” Page said.

Jamie Nellesen, a health and safety specialist for the Red Cross, said the program also allows children to explore the water in a safe, controlled environment and teaches parents safety tips for emergency situations.

“We’re trying to educate parents to be more aware of the dangers of water,” he said.

For information on programs at Ole Hanson, contact San Clemente’s Parks and Recreation Department at (714) 361-8265.

The Red Cross also sponsors parent-infant swimming classes at other locations across Orange County, Nellesen said, usually through city recreation departments.