"Why Choose Swimming?"

With the literally thousands of choices for exercise and/or recreation available to us, why choose swimming?  Swimming is unique in a number of ways; and its advantages over many other sports are significant.  Here are my top 10 reasons for choosing the EWU Aquatic Center over the plethora of fitness and recreation alternatives:

1.       Swimming is a life-saving skill that everyone must learn.  No one should be in danger due to lack of swimming ability when in the liquid that covers 2/3 of the earth!  No other sport is more important to learn and gain proficiency in.

2.       Swimming is one of the few forms of exercise that is truly life-long.  Lap swimming and water aerobics, including water walking, aqua jogging, and aquatics treadmill work, are virtually zero impact on worn or injured joints.  Most other sports are prone to joint stress or injury.

3.       Water provides resistance to movement.  Plus, this resistance can be increased exponentially with wave webs, hand paddles, drag suits, or other resistance equipment.

4.       Swimming is cheap!  Unless you walk or run in lousy, cheap shoes and old holy sweats, how many fitness/recreation activities cost less than swimming?  At EWU, students swim free, and others pay $2.07/admission with a 10-admission punch card; a monthly pass used 5x/wk costs only $1.85 per admission.  Think about the cost of gear - A 3-pack of goggles at Costco is about $15, and I buy swim trunks out of season for under $10.  I usually buy 2-3 at a time and I'm set for a year!

5.       Swimming at EWU is weatherproof.  The Aquatic Center is open year 'round, rain or shine, snow or wind, hot or cold, and the air/water temperature is the same every day.  The environment is always available and always safe.

6.       Swimming at EWU is convenient.  There is free parking in lot P-12 just behind Roos Field all day; plus we're located close to anyone in western Spokane County.  You can walk, ride your bike, or take the bus to the front of the building, if you don't need to bring your car.

7.       Swimming is more than just laps back and forth.  There are many options available to those of us who might be considered amphibious:

a.       Water Aerobics                                b.  Springboard Diving Club         c.  Triathlon Group

d.    Water walking/jogging                 e.  Aqua Zumba                                                f.   SCUBA

g.    Kayaking                              h.  Cheney Waves swim team

Other facilities have water polo clubs and masters swim teams as well.

8.        Swimming can be either quiet time or social time.  Lap swimmers may use their workouts as quiet time to unwind and reflect.  Water X participants find great camaraderie in their classmates and develop many friendships through their time together in class.

9.       There's a lot of room!  EWU Aquatic Center has 36% more lap swimming time than in years past, and there is plenty of space for you to enjoy your time without swimming through a crowd.

10.   We have a sparkling clean facility that is well maintained and safe.  We have friendly, well trained staff, who'll keep you safe and treat you as one the family.

So...come on in!  The water's fine!