You Can Do It! Learn to Play Like a Pro (or At Least Aspire to It)

Jan 27, 2022 01:53PM ● By ANN MARIE O’PHELAN

Southwest Florida is an athlete’s paradise. There is no lack of activities to be enjoyed year-round here. Consider three of the area’s most popular activities—swimming, tennis, and golf—all of which you can improve by taking lessons.

Since there is water nearly everywhere you look in the area, swimming is almost a required activity. “Lee County Parks and Recreation offers affordable swimming lessons for children and adults of all skill levels—at all of its community pools,” says aquatic supervisor Paul Rapp. Register at any of the pools, which include North Fort Myers Community Pool and Pine Island, or online at leeparks.org. The City of Cape Coral also offers lessons for children 6 months to 12 years old at the Cape Coral Yacht Club community pool. Deepwater exercise, aerobics, and lap swimming are available for adults. Sun Splash Water Park in Cape Coral offers swim lessons for children 6 months to 13 years old. It reopens for the 2022 season in March.

Tennis attracts thousands of players to the multitude of both private and public courts in Southwest Florida. Lee County Community Tennis Association (LCCTA) provides public tennis programs in partnership with Lee County Parks & Recreation. Certified tennis professionals are on hand at five of the largest hardcourt facilities, all with lights for night play. These include Kurt Donaldson Community Park. “LCCTA offers clinics and private lessons that are affordable and accessible for adults and children,” says executive director Lyn Bruner. Cape Coral Yacht Club has five lighted hardcourts open to the public. Instructors are available on-site for private and group lessons, as well as league play.

Of course, Southwest Florida is often labeled “Golf Capital of the World,” and it tries to live up to that title. In addition to the many country clubs dotting the area, the City of Cape Coral operates the 18-hole Coral Oaks Golf Course. PGA professionals are on staff for golf schools, clinics, and private lessons.

Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.