Jessica Long is a Merritt Athletic Clubs member competing in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics September 6-September 17. At the 2004 Paralympic Games, Jessica won three gold medals as a 12-year-old - the youngest athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Team. In 2008, it's safe to say the level of expectation will be much higher for her in Beijing. Long had 18 world record-breaking performances in 2006, and is the current world record holder in 12 events (one as part of a relay). Her stellar performance at the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships - nine gold medals in nine events (seven individual, two relay) and five world records - drew attention from outside the world of Paralympic sport. In 2007, Long became the first Paralympic athlete selected as the Amateur Athletic Union's Sullivan Award winner, given to the best amateur athlete in the United States.
Long was born in Siberia and was adopted from a Russian orphanage at the age of 13 months. Because of lower leg anomalies, her legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She learned to walk with prostheses and has been unstoppable ever since. Long was selected as Maryland Swimming's 2003 Female Swimmer with a Disability of the Year.
Jessica Long trains with Regional Aquatics Director and Head Coach Andrew Barranco and is a member of Merritt's Towson location. Follow the Paralympic Games September 6-September 17 here: http:paralympicsport.tv.
Merritt's First Salt Water Pool is open at our Canton location! Enjoy the benefits of salt water: no more red eyes, itchy skin, chlorine smell; environmentally and ecologically positive. Experience water softness and cleanliness like never before!
Merritt Athletic Clubs is proud of our Aquatic Centers, aquatic group fitness classes, and well-trained instructor and lifeguard staff! Enthusiastic, certified instructors teach Aqua Aerobics, Aqua Arthritis, Deep Water, and a variety of other classes.
Group and private swimming lessons are offered for both children and adults. Instructors are WSI certified and follow the Red Cross guidelines for swimming instruction. In addition, some locations offer Master Swim Clubs for adults as well as youth swim teams and triathlon club.
Water transcends all ages and fitness levels and provides the benefits of health and fun for the entire family. Each Merritt Aquatic Center offers "extra-curricular" activities such as glow swims, movies, and parties.
For a full schedule of classes and program descriptions, please click on the club link.
Merritt Swim Lessons Beginner classes for 3-8 year olds with an emphasis on floating, kicking, front and back crawl. Intermediate classes for 6-12 year olds - improve ability in front crawl, back crawl, and an introduction to breaststroke and butterfly. Adult beginning and intermediate classes as well. Click here for registration form. All children entering the pool must be potty-trained. No swim diapers allowed.
Mondays 9:00AM-11:00AM and 5:00PM-7:00PM (July 28-September 1)
Tuesdays 9:00AM-11:00AM and 5:00PM-7:00PM (July 29-September 2)
Wednesdays 9:00AM-11:00AM and 5:00PM-7:00PM (July 30-September3)
Thursdays 9:00AM-11:00AM and 5:00PM-7:00PM (July 31-September 4)
Merritt Marlins Masters Swimming Program focuses on fitness and health for adults in a group workout environment. Structured practices work on improving stroke form and endurance. This is not a swim lesson program. Click here for registration form.
NEW! Beginners meet Monday and Wednesday 6:30PM-7:30PM, Advanced 7:30PM-9:00PM
Saturdays 10:00AM-11:30AM
H2O Aerobics This is a great workout in the pool that alleviates all stress on joints, bones, and muscles. Classes take place year round.
Tuesdays, 9:30AM-10:30AM
Wednesdays, 6:00PM-7:00PM
Private Swim Lessons Private lessons allow students ages 3 through adult to progress at their own pace and reach personal goals. Times set through each instructor.
For further information or to register for any of these classes, please contact Bren Simpson.
Phone: 410-563-0225
E-mail: bsimpson@merrittclubs.com
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Red Cross Group and Private Swimming Lessons For ages 6 months-14 years. Certified Water Safety Instructors teach beginner and advanced lessons. Younger child lessons are held in our warm water REC pool where children can touch the bottom and stay warm. More advanced lessons take place in the LAP pool. This is a fee-based course that requires advance registration. Click here for downloadable brochure.
Master Swim Club An adult swim group with an on-deck coach.
Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00AM
Merritt Athletic Swimming-Year Round Swim Team Youth swim team competes at local schools. Be a part of the Marlins! This is a year-round team, but accepts summer only registrations. Team practices Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday with meets on weekends.
For children ages 6-16.
Tuesday and Thursday 4:15PM-5:45PM
Wednesday 7:00PM-8:30PM
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid Certification Course. Must be 15 or older. This is a fee-based course that requires advance registration.
For more information on any of these swim programs, please call Kathy Gilbert
Phone: 410-549-8855
E-mail: kgilbert@merrittclubs.com
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Merritt Swim Academy The Swim Academy has a new session beginning every six weeks. Ages 6 months-12 years old. Swim Academy allows children to progress through a four-level program, as well as Mommy and Me. Each level helps children improve their swimming ability. Click here for registration form.
Session 1 begins September 29, 2008
Session 2 begins September 15, 2008
Merritt Marlin Masters Swim Team Focus is on fitness and health for adults in a group workout environment. Practices work on improving stroke form and endurance of swimmers. Click here for registration form.
Tuesday 6:00PM-7:30PM
Thursday 6:00AM-7:15AM
Saturday - 7:30AM-9:30AM
Pre-Swim Team Not ready for swim team yet? Can't commit to more than one day a week? Looking to get ready for the summer swim season? Try our Pre-Team groups! Sessions focus on the stroke form of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Flip turns and starts are also taught during training. Click here for registration form.
Practices run every Saturday beginning September 27, 2008.
Ages 10 and under 5:00PM-6:00PM
Ages 11 and older 4:00PM-5:00PM
Merritt Athletic Swimming/Year Round Swim Team Practice available 6 days a week. Merritt Athletic Swimming is a year round swim team that has grown to two practice locations - Towson and Eldersburg. The locations combine with over 100 swimmers ages 5-18. This is a competitive swim team program that is year round and offers five competitive levels in which to compete. Practices work on improving stroke form, endurance, and speed of swimmers. Practice times vary according to level. Download brochure and registration form.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4:00PM-6:00PM
Tuesday and Thursday 7:00PM-8:45PM
Saturdays 9:45AM-12:00PM
Sundays 4:30PM-6:00PM
For more information on any of these programs, please contact Andrew Barranco.
Phone: 410-821-0160
E-mail: abarranco@merrittclubs.com
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