YMCA helps children learn to swim with free lessons

Swimming is a skill that you need to practice throughout your life, but many children and adults don’t know how to do it.

That’s why the YMCA in Silver Spring offers help.

This summer, the Silver Spring chapter is offering free swimming lessons to 112 children between the ages of 6 and 12. The Learn to Swim Program will take place over two summer sessions. Session two is currently underway. Each child will receive eight lessons during the session. The YMCA of the USA has provided a grant to help pay for the lessons.

“We believe every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim so they have the skills and confidence to enjoy the water safely,” said David Rodriguez, District Executive Director, YMCA Silver Spring.

Drowning hazards

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 4,500 people drowned each year in the United States between 2020 and 2022. That’s about 500 more deaths than in 2019. But a CDC report released two months ago found that access to swimming lessons and water safety training can save lives.

The report estimates that nearly 40 million adults in the United States do not know how to swim, and more than half have never taken a swimming lesson. More than one in three black adults reported they do not know how to swim. About two in three black adults and three in four Hispanic adults reported they have never taken a swimming lesson.

“We live near several rivers and lakes. There is so much water in our area. Drowning is the leading cause of death among young children,” Rodriguez said.

“It is important to understand how to be in the water and not be afraid. Together we can make a significant impact and help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn to swim, promoting safety and confidence in and around the water,” he added.

Firefighters help spread the word

Pete Piringer, spokesman for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department, said the county has had two drownings and several near-drownings so far this year.

“We encourage people to take swimming lessons. We are proactive in the community when it comes to water safety,” Piringer said.

He said it’s important for people not to let their guard down. He said firefighters will be in the Great Falls area this weekend to remind people that the county doesn’t allow swimming there.

“The water level is low, the water temperature is in the 80s, so some areas are extremely dangerous. Swimming and entering the water without a boat is prohibited, illegal and in all cases very dangerous,” Piringer said.

Next week, fire stations across the county will receive water safety materials to distribute to the community. Some firefighters will be at local pools to spread the word. This follows the death of a 3-year-old boy who drowned in a community pool in Rockville earlier this month.

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