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Highlands Today

YMCA Expanding Services, Membership

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Jan Johnson uses a noodle to workout in a water aerobics class at the Highlands County YMCA recently in Sebring.

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By JIM KONKOLY

Highlands Today

Published: January 12, 2009

SEBRING - New offerings at the YMCA include scuba diving, adult beach volleyball, exercise programs with a personal trainer and water volleyball.

"We're also trying to start adult flag football, for ages 18 and up, which is scheduled to start Jan. 18," said Dave Scheck, the Y's program manager.

Membership at the YMCA is above 1,000 and has more than doubled since April, when the new indoor swimming pool and new fitness center opened, he said.

The seven-week scuba diving course will be taught by Bill Serey, co-owner of Scuba Adventures off Central Florida. A scuba instructor since 1978, Serey's credentials from the Professional Association of Underwater Instructors include master scuba trainer and a course director.

The scuba course is being offered for $200, which is $75 off Serey's normal cost.

"We're offering it because we think it's going to be a real positive for this community, giving people the chance to get certified (in scuba)," Scheck said.

After meeting once a week for six weeks for academics and training in the Y's indoor pool, Serey will take students for a weekend of five dives to earn their certification.

"We'll conduct the weekend dives either in springs in north central Florida or, if the conditions are right, in the ocean," Serey said. The first scuba class starts Monday and the course will be offered every eight weeks.

Youth programs at the Y include BMX bicycle, karate, gymnastics, cheerleading for ages 5-12, basketball for ages 5-14, Itty Bitty Soccer for 3-year-olds and fall and spring soccer for ages 4-14.

Adult programs run the gamut from Tai Chi and belly dancing to aerobics.

Highlands Today reporter Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlandstoday.com

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