Danbury Schools Aquatics Supervisor, Pam Starr, offers swim lessons, water aerobics, open swim, and more at the Danbury pool all year long. The pool is open to anyone, not just Danbury residents. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

MARBLEHEAD – The Danbury High School pool is a hidden treasure that Aquatics Supervisor Pam Starr wants to share with the entire community. The pool is available to the public for open swim, water aerobics, swim lessons, and more. With the exception of a two-week period for maintenance, the pool is open all year long.

“The pool is open to anyone in the area, not just Danbury residents. I have people coming from Oak Harbor and Castalia,” Starr said.

Starr offers several aquatics programs, such as Agility Aquatics, which is designed to ward off the aging process. Like traditional aerobics, Water Aerobics is done to music and focuses on cardiac training. Rocking Water Aerobics bumps up the fun by adding dance-based exercise routines set to pop and rock music. Aqua Tune-Up is a more intense workout that targets core muscles and includes equipment such as water bells, fins, and kick boards.

Swim lessons are offered for all ages and skill levels, from a water discovery class for babies to Stroke Fundamentals for adults who want to improve their swimming.

“Living by the lake, it’s so important for kids to know how to swim,” Starr said. “And I want people to come to the pool for health reasons. You can go at your own pace. I want to help people feel better.”

Starr also offers private lessons.

“I’ve given private lessons to people who are going on vacation and want to learn how to snorkel, and I’ve given private lessons to older adults who want to learn how to swim and don’t want to take a group class,” she said.

Starr also offers community classes outside the pool, including first aid, CPR, and lifeguard training.

“I want to offer anything I can to make the community safer,” she said.

The daily open swim fee is $7, and the water aerobics fee is $8. Punch cards can be purchased at discounted rates.

Danbury High School is located at 9451 E. Harbor Rd. in Marblehead. For more information on fees, full class descriptions, and the pool schedule, visit www.danburyschools.org and click on “Danbury Aquatics” under the “Community” tab. Starr can be reached at starrp@danburyschools.org.