Ocean City, Maryland Recreation & Parks’ “Water Wiggle” program is an aquatic exercise program designed to improve strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. The program is designed for senior citizens aged 55 and older.
The class meets for one hour, twice a week, for one month. This time period is considered one session. Each summer, there are approximately two or three sessions. Each session covers four weeks and thus, includes eight classes. The maximum number of students per session is 25.
Participants must be approximately 55 years and up, although exceptions are made for disabled persons under 55 years of age. There are no physical requirements for participants. Ocean City residents pay $16 per course and non-residents pay $26 per course. The classes take place at the Ocean City Health & Racquetball Club, which donates its pool facility for the classes.
The program is advertised solely in the Recreation & Parks’ seasonal newsletter. The newsletter, in the form of a brochure, is mailed to all residents of Ocean City, Maryland in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each year, the water aerobics classes are filled to capacity.
Results
Though the program does not guarantee results in the form of better health and fitness, testimonials from participants are always positive. The coordinator of the program says that most of the participants do not like regular aerobics (on land) and therefore benefit greatly from the water aerobics.
Strengths
According to the program director, the main strength of the program is the certified instructor. Instructors may be certified by Aqua Aerobics Unlimited (www.aquaaerobics.com), Aquatic Exercise Association (www.aeawave.com), or another aquatic exercise association. Unlike with some other water aerobics classes, the instructor at Ocean City, Maryland Recreations & Parks gets directly into the water with the participants. The instructor often provides hands-on assistance to any participants who may be struggling or confused.
Other benefits of water aerobics include:
Innovative Ideas
Lessons Learned
The most important factor in the program’s success has been word of mouth, whereby participants suggest the program to other seniors. Because of this, the Ocean City, Maryland Recreation & Parks Department has never had to use paid advertising for the water aerobics classes.
It is also important that the director of the program, if that person is someone other than the instructor, stay involved with the program. At Ocean City, the director visits with participating seniors twice per session. At these meetings, the director not only gets feedback on the program, but also reminds participants of upcoming deadlines, such as when the session ends and when the next session begins.
The most important rule in a successful water aerobic program, however, is to follow the buddy system and never swim or perform water aerobics alone. Also, as with any exercise program, seniors are encouraged to talk to their health care professional or physician first before starting a water aerobics program.
In one-on-one conversations, a frequent, negative response to the program has been that the pool water is too cold. This is something that the program’s directors are working to change.
Implementation Steps
Ocean City’s basic type of water aerobics courses can be implemented in any municipality or within any organization with access to a pool. Many water aerobics professionals recommend using an indoor pool for water aerobics so as to keep the temperature warm.
For Ocean City, the development of their water aerobics program came after a survey was given to all members of the Health & Racquetball Club. Nearly all of the program’s original participants were seniors who already frequented the exercise facility. As word got out to other senior members of the community, participation increased.
Contact Information
Community Coordinator
Ocean City Recreation & Parks
200 125th Street
Ocean City, MD 21842
410-250-0125
