Sunshine and splashes abounded Thursday as kids, with the help of kickboards and their parents, made their way around the Green Street Pool during the Water Babies class.
The Water Babies class is offered by Gainesville Parks and Recreation for the youngest of swimmers, ages 6 months to 3 years, accompanied by a parent.
Jennifer Colvin, the Frances Meadows Aquatic and Community Center division manager, said the Water Babies class teaches water exploration and instills trust between the parent and the child.
"Not only are they learning to be around the water, they’re learning some socialization," Colvin said.
Two daily classes of Water Babies are taught, one from noon to 12:30 p.m. and another from 5:30-6 p.m. Each session goes from Monday through Thursday for two weeks.
Colvin said techniques learned in the Water Babies class include putting the face in the water, floating on the front and back, the front crawland blowing bubbles, in addition to just having fun and games.
This is the second time Lauren Gough and her 2«-year-old daughter, Aubrey, have taken the Water Babies class. She said they signed up for the class so "(Aubrey) will get excited about swimming."
She added that she has enjoyed watching her daughter’s confidence in the water improve since they started the lessons.
Now, "she wants me to let her go," Gough said.
The classes are taught by American Red Cross-certified safety instructors and will go on until early August when school starts.
Colvin recommends continuing swimming lessons after the Water Babies class with the progression of swimming classes offered because "swimming is a lifelong skill."
The Water Babies classes cost $50, and there is a $10 discount for participants who live in the county.
Green Street Pool is located at 830 Green St., Gainesville.