MARYSVILLE — Summer has officially arrived and with it comes the season of water sports.

The Marysville YMCA began its annual SPLASH Week on Monday, June 25, which aims to instruct participants on water safety and is sponsored by the Marysville Noon Rotary.

“SPLASH Week focuses on water safety for all bodies of water — pools, lakes, rivers,” said Chelsey Roe, the YMCA aquatics director. The program runs for five days and has two lesson times — in the morning and evening — for those interested in learning about safety or kicking off their summer water recreation, for only $10.

“We already have 345 kids registered and last year we had 288, so definitely some bigger numbers which is great,” said Roe.

“In addition to the ability to swim, knowing how to be safe in and around the water helps kids feel proud and confident. They will use that knowledge for the rest of their lives,” according to the YMCA program description.

“It’s a community service that we do. It’s a very comprehensive safety focused class,” said Roe. “Each day we have a different focus like the beach, boating or regular swim lessons. It’s really a push for safety for the whole summer.”

Roe said that this year’s SPLASH Week has already seen more registration numbers than 2011, but that may be due to shifts in programming.

“I do the whole 30-minute lesson in the water,” said Roe. “There has been a lot of drowning during this time of year,” said Roe. “We are just trying to focus on prevention.”

SPLASH Week kicks off the YMCA’s summer water class season, with swimming lessons beginning in the first week of July. “About 75 percent or more signed up for SPLASH Week are nonmembers, because it’s pretty low cost,” said Roe. “But we do have financial aid available for our swimming classes, whether you are a member or not.”

The YMCA is also offering a number of different dates and times for swimming lessons so that parents may find at least one session that fits their needs.

“We have month-long evening lessons either on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” said Roe.

Also available are two-month long Saturday morning classes from 9 a.m. to noon.

There are also morning swimming classes Monday through Friday for a two-week session starting on July 2.

Classes are available to those who are very much beginners including infants and toddlers to classes for teenagers and adults.

Additional information about swim lessons and water safety can be found at the YMCA website www.ymca-snoco.org/marysville.