I feel so sad for Susan Hauser (Gazette, June 21). Yes, the 50+ Aquacise classes help you to move in the water, but they also enable those who attend to do so in a supportive and safe environment, in a spirit of fun and camaraderie. Laughter it is said is the best medicine; to suggest that conversation be prohibited while in the water would take the life out of the program.
Ms. Hauser compared our classes to play school, may I suggest that what we do in the water is in a spirit of fun; people are still moving when they are talking. Playing is not a bad thing at any age.
I have been attending these programs, at least three times a week for many years. Some of the participants have been coming for over twenty years. Their lives and bodies have changed in that time but the one thing we can all count on is that if we feel down and life deals us a blow our friends at the pool will help to lighten our load.
We appreciate our instructors also. They each have different ways of providing us with movement suggestions for our water activity, helping us to modify some of the activity to suit our varying joint challenges. They understand our need for companionship and treat us in a good-humoured way. At Christmas we hold a gathering where we celebrate with each other and instructors are recognized for the joy they bring us.
Indoor pools are noisy places, as we get older our hearing abilities change, several of my friends use hearing aids that get removed while they are in the water, however these participants make the most of what they can do.
Unfortunately the sound system at Fountain Park leaves a lot to be desired, the volume goes up and down, the CDs get distorted. Everyone does not appreciate some of the music that is used all the time but we are able to enjoy our movement. Some participants cannot stay in the pool for a full hour – so they leave the class early and may enjoy the sauna or hot tub.
As we get older we appreciate the companionship of others, especially if we have lost significant others. I hope Ms. Hauser you will come and join us for coffee or tea at our friendly pool cafe after the 8 a.m. class and enjoy the benefit of our supportive group.
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
