Monica Bihm has been teaching Alexa Hardy, 5, how to swim a few days per week at the Natchez YMCA community pool since July 9.

“She’s become much more confident in the water,” Neifa Hardy, Alexa Hardy’s mother said. “You have to watch her around the water so she doesn’t just jump in.”

Bihm said she has been teaching swimming on and off since she was a teenager, and she believes everyone should know how to swim.

Bihm said she loves watching her students become more confident.

“They think they can’t do something or they’re afraid of the water and then all of a sudden they’re swimming across the pool,” Bihm said. “And when they get that confidence it kind of pours into their schoolwork and other areas of their life.”

The YMCA offers swimming classes for all ages. Anyone interested in attending a class or trying out for the YMCA swim team can contact Bihm at 601-870-4570.

SWIM TEAM TRY OUTS are underway 4:30-7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Natchez YMCA community pool. Try outs take 5 minutes so coaches can evaluate participants’ levels and age groups for placement on the swim team. Details: coachmonicabihm@gmail.com or 601-870-4570.