The Town of Chapel Hill will offer free swimming lessons on Saturday mornings from July 26 to Aug. 16 at the A.D. Clark Pool at Hargraves Community Center, 216 N. Roberson St.

Robb English, aquatics supervisor, said that while beginning with a limited number of classes, the Parks and Recreation Department may extend the program to 10 weeks next summer.

"Many youth and adults in the Northside community haven't had the opportunity to participate in formalized swim lessons," English said. "We want to be a community leader in providing as many opportunities to learn to swim as possible and see this program as a good start to more opportunities."

Participants will learn how to enter and exit the water safely, submerge underwater, float on front and back, tread water, glide, swim on front and back and other basic water skills.

The classes are offered through the Parks and Recreation Department and are scheduled from 10 to 10:30 a.m., 10:45 to 11:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. to noon. Each 30-minute class session can accommodate 20 students.

To register, pick up a registration form from the front desk attendant at the Hargraves Community Center or Northside Gym.

For more information, contact Robb English at (919) 968-2789 or renglish@townofchapelhill.org.