Great Escape

With summer temperatures on the rise, now is the perfect time to take a dip. Don’t have a place to swim? Not a problem. Your neighborhood YMCA has a pool big enough to accommodate all manner of aquatic activities for both children and adults.

The Cross Island YMCA, located at 238-10 Hillside Ave. in Bellerose, offers a variety of classes for fitness and fun and is less than 10 minutes away from Douglaston.

Adult classes include aqua exercise, which is a combination of swimming and aerobics, aqua jog, water walking and high energy water workouts.

The Y also offers a swimming program designed specifically for those suffering from joint or muscular pains, such as arthritis. The class helps to improve muscle stiffness as well as circulation, coordination and joint flexibility. All exercises are performed in shallow waters.

The center also offers swimming lessons. Classes start at the beginner level for those with no previous swimming experience. Advanced level classes are available for participants who can comfortably swim 100 yards continuously in deep water.  
There are also courses for youths, teens and preschoolers, starting as early as six months. Several classes partner parents with their children for a fun bonding experience that teaches both participants how to swim together.  

For more information on these or any other of the programs offered at the Cross Island YMCA, click here to visit the Y's website.