Empowered Through Aquatics

One year ago, Sacramentan Vickie Gandara-Zieger made an important decision. She began attending Water Arthritis class at the Central YMCA pool. It came at a tough time in her life. The disabled Army veteran had recently lost her husband. She was lonely. And her physical mobility was waning. “I’ve got to do something,” she told herself.

Today, Vickie reports she is healthier, happier and more independent than she’s been in years.

“The Y opened my world back up to me,” she enthuses. “It’s given me my independence back. It’s given me a joy and a reason to get going. I’m doing things I haven't been able to do for years.”

The benefits go beyond exercise. “I met a wonderful group of people,” she says,. “We’re a family. We look out for each other.”

Vickie is among thousands of capital region residents, young and old, who participate in YMCA of Superior California’s aquatics programs.

The YMCA has long been a leader nationally in water safety, education, health and well-being. Today, with your help, our capital region aquatics program offers a robust range of activities for all needs.

“No matter what your situation, if you walk through our doors, we have a swim program for you,” says Erik McClain, the YMCA of Superior California’s aquatics director. “We kind of do it all.”

Our unique pool programs include youth and adult swim lessons, water introduction for infants, lifeguard training, masters swimming and a youth competitive swim team, the Rollingwood Rockets. We also offer lap swim, free swim and family fun time in our pools.

Some of our programs are focused on groups with particular needs: We host the Sacramento City Unified School District’s Special Needs Aquatics Program for youth with autism, cerebral palsy, and other motor skills issues. Our “Safety Around Water” program teaches underserved youth to swim, nurturing self-confidence in the water.

“We hear about drownings in the river. We want them to sharpen their swimming fins here, so that won’t happen there,” McClain says.

The arthritis pool exercise class that Vickie Gandara-Zieger attends three days a week is among our most popular offerings, drawing as many as 80 older residents per session, some of them in their 90s. 

The class is led by Pat Wolfe, a retired YMCA executive who exudes nonstop positive energy. “We work on everything from their knuckles to their ankles,” she says. “It’s important to keep the joints fluid.”

But the social aspect of the class is immediately evident. Many class members show up early and stay late, chatting, laughing, and sharing stories. Some attendees, in fact, become so engrossed in conversation that they forget to keep up with the exercise. 

That’s fine, instructor Wolfe says. In fact, it’s good. “Today, so many seniors live alone. There is an isolation if you don’t join a community and do something. This is their something.” 

Vickie, whose service dog Colton lounges poolside, now also swims laps before class.  

“I’m proud of myself,” she says. “Other people in the class are pushing themselves too. The Y has afforded us that opportunity.” 

“I get tearful just talking about it. What you do for the community is just amazing.”

Others express appreciation as well. Parent Karina Martin, whose daughter Mia recently took swim lessons, offered thanks: “I just wanted to say how incredibly thankful we are. We’ve seen so much growth in her swimming ability and her overall confidence in the water.”

The YMCA of Superior California’s aquatic programs are designed not only to improve physical health, but also to build confidence and foster meaningful social connection. Our inclusive offerings meet people where they are, serving all ages and abilities. Through this work, YMCA pools remain vital spaces where individuals and families build healthier lives and stronger community connections.