a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching children and adults Red Cross Swimming at beautiful, historic Coral Gables Venetian Pool for 52 Years and Still Going Strong!

Our Club's History and Membership Information

The Venetian Aquatic Club was formed in 1959 by a group of women who were concerned with the safety of the residents in our area. The many waterways, lakes, rockpits, pools and ocean itself, combined with our warm climate, made water safety of particular concern.

The American Red Cross is the basis for our organization. The members are all certified American Red Cross Volunteers. We have adapted the Red Cross program and materials for teaching swimming and water safety at Venetian Pool. The City of Coral Gables is very much involved as they authroize us to use Venetian Pool for swimming lessons, organizational meetings, teacher training and special courses as well as for social events. They have also provided us a room to store equipment and supplies.

The firve categories of membership - Active, Associate, In-active, Sustaining and Honorary. No one may join the Venetian Aquatic Club in an In-active status and Honorary speaks for itself. Of particular interest to you, as a prospective member, are the following two categories:

An Active member gives 40 hours of service to the Club. An Associate member gives 20 hours of service. The hours are counted for the actual teaching time during the summer swim program. The swim program teaches water safety to children mornings for 8 weeks (4 two-week sessions) during June, July and August and to adults three evenings a week during the same time period. You are awarded two hours for each day - a total of 20 hours for each two-week session.

An Active member earns full pool privileges for his/her family (spouse and children who live at home) and receives a pass to Venetian Pool, with the privileges beginning in October. An Associate member earns the same privileges for him/herself only.

Each new member must attend the Spring Training Course for two hours, three mornings a week for two weeks and upon completition receives Red Cross Certification as a Water Safety Aide. S/he must repeat this course in the second year of membership and then retrain in her/his category every other year.

While you are teaching, your children aged five and older may take two free lessons each morning. They come with you and are cared for on the patio during the lesson they sit out. Children under five are cared for as well, but MUST leave the pool before 11 AM when it is open to the public. Each day that you teach you may stay on at the pool after the lessons are over.

We have a Summer Social for members and guests one summer evening at the pool. The City of Coral Gables honors all members who have served 40 hours with a dinner party in September. Our annual Installation Luncheon is in November.

We have a Junior Club with an adult to guide them. The members are qualifited Water Safety Junior Volunteers who are 11 years old and older. They help with the lessons. We also have younger children who are members' children and qualified Teaching Assistants who help in the shllow pool and on the patio.

Our dues are for the fiscal year - October to October and are $15. The summer dues are $5.