TheCommunityYMCA We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

Over 150 area children, teens and adults learned to swim safely during the Y's Learn-to-Swim Week, June 21-25

Approximately 150 area children, teens and adults participated in The Community YMCA’s Learn-to-Swim Week program, June 21-25 at the Y’s Family Health & Fitness Center in Red Bank.  The weeklong program included a series of water safety lessons taught by certified YMCA swim instructors at greatly reduced fees for the community - just $15 for the entire week.

Learn-to-Swim Week is an annual community outreach initiative that the YMCA provides to the local community. The program is part of The Community YMCA’s commitment to making the summer safe for all children and targets youth with little to no swimming experience. Small group lessons focused on safety in and around the water and helped children learn and develop basic swimming skills, making a big difference in the lives of many local families.  

One family benefiting from the program was the Lane family of Atlantic Highlands.  As a first time swimmer, Dasaan Lane, age 5, was timid getting into the water and mom Tiwauna was hoping that the Y’s program would boost his skills and ability to swim on his own.

“Dasaan was very nervous on the first day and really reluctant to get in the pool.    But by the end of that first  lesson, he didn’t want to get out,” said his mom Tiwauna.  “The instructors and everyone at the Y have been wonderful, and we couldn’t ask for a better program to build Dasaan’s confidence in the pool.”

Also participating in the program were 27 students from Red Bank schools who were guided to the Y by David Prown, a Red Bank resident, business owner and advocate for children in Red Bank. The Y’s program was the first formal swim lesson for these students. Prown also collaborates with the YMCA for a summer swim program and indoor soccer program for area children.

Dasaan Lane, age 5, and Y instructor Megan Mansfield

“I am pleased to be able assist the YMCA in reaching out to families in our community to ensure that their children have the opportunity to learn to swim while developing water safety skills,”  Prown said.

Arturo Ramirez, age 8, and Osbaldo Medina, age 7, of Red Bank

Swim lessons are an important part of water safety for children. According to the YMCA of the USA, drowning takes the lives of more than 1,000 children a year nationwide and 60 to 90% of drownings in children under 5 occur in residential swimming pools.

To combat these statistics, the Y takes a proactive approach in preparing kids for summer and being around the water, and encourages swim lessons for all ages.

“Knowing some basic swimming and water safety skills can mean a fun, worry-free summer for the entire family,” said Andrea Plaza, Vice President of Family Health and Fitness at The Community YMCA. “The goal of our Learn-to-Swim program is to make learning to swim accessible to all families in our community. Every child should be familiar with the water and how to be safe when at the pool or beach.”

The YMCA offers the following tips to help keep children and families safe in and around the water this summer:

• Never leave children unattended when by a pool or at the beach.  Always have a "lifeguard" on duty.
• Don't overcrowd your home pool. Crowded pools are dangerous pools!
• Pay attention to swimmers in shallow water.
• Plan ahead when taking children to the pool or beach.  Bring sunscreen, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) or life vests if needed.
• Never allow diving in shallow water pools.
• Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length.
• Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

The Community YMCA’s Learn-to-Swim Week was sponsored by Buckman, Buckman and Reid, ServePro of Freehold and Middletown and Strokers Deli and Subs. Support was also provided by 7^Dth grade students from Holy Cross School and private donors.   

Y Learn-to-Swim Week is held annually in June and is designed as a community outreach program. For more information, contact Rebecca Rivera, (732) 741-2504, ext. 11 or rrivera@cymca.org.