Water aerobics instructor Kathy Shermer, right, speaks to participants of water aerobics at the Rio Linda High School Aquatic center.

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) – At the Rio Linda High School Aquatic Center on Mondays and Wednesdays until Aug. 6, the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District hosted water aerobics, giving participants an opportunity to perform low-impact, dynamic workouts in one of the center’s two pools.

Workouts were led by Katherine Shermer, instructing participants on different workouts using pool weights and other aquatic fitness equipment.

Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Parks District recreation supervisor Yanni Lagge said that Shermer also coaches at the American Legion and is in her second year.

“We have about 40 participants on a good day,” Lagge said.

Participants performed exercises such as low squats, crabwalks and other movements, sometimes while holding on to the lip of the pool.

A Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Parks District lifeguard stands by the pool while on duty for water aerobics, hosted at the Rio Linda High School Aquatic Center until Aug. 6.

In addition to water aerobics, the Rio Linda High School Aquatic Center also had group and private swimming lessons, which took place in the center’s second pool.

Lifeguards and first aid were on site at the center, with 15-year-old Ashlyn Jensen in her first year as a lifeguard. Jensen heads into her sophomore year at Rio Linda High School in the fall and said she already rescued a child while on duty.

Jensen said a child with special needs slid down a pool slide during one of the first sessions of lessons but he couldn’t swim.

“I was nervous, it was kind of scary because he wrapped around me, so I was having a hard time keeping myself up but we were able to get him out pretty fast,” Jensen said.

Jensen said it was her fourth day as a lifeguard and every day since then has been tremendously easier. She said she has been swimming competitively for about five years and plays indoor volleyball. Jensen swims at Rio Linda High School where Lagge is also the swim coach.

“It’s very fun. I like working here, I like my coworkers, I like my boss. I would recommend working here,” Jensen said.

Lagge said the aquatic season for the recreation and parks district is ending on Aug. 10 but the school district’s swimming program starts on Aug. 4.