Living in Florida, we are surrounded by lakes, rivers and pools. As we head into the summer months, it’s essential to prioritize water safety for everyone in the family. Swim lessons are not just about learning how to swim—they’re about teaching critical life-saving skills that can make a difference in emergencies. Knowing how to navigate the water safely can help prevent accidents, reduce the risk of drowning and promote confidence in and around water.
At the YMCA, we offer swim lessons for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to ensuring that everyone learns the proper swim techniques, builds water confidence and understands the importance of water safety.
In addition to traditional swim lessons, we also offer our unique infant survival program called FLOAT. This program is designed to teach infants and young children vital survival skills that could save their lives. Children participating in the FLOAT program learn to float, roll and gain control in the water. These skills can be lifesaving in emergency situations.
Our drowning prevention initiatives like Safety Around Water Week further enhance our commitment to keeping children and families safe in and around water, offering education and resources to help minimize the risks associated with water activities.
Kent Reiber, the Executive Director at our Hernando County YMCA, expresses his gratitude, saying, “Earlier this month, we had the privilege of welcoming a few members from POOLCORP to our YMCA branch. Their unwavering support of our FLOAT program and drowning prevention initiatives have been invaluable.”
He continues, “In 2024, we tragically lost 11 children to drowning in Hernando County. This is a devastating reality that we are determined to change. Our goal is clear: not one more child should lose their life to drowning. We are committed to achieving this by educating families and ensuring that every member of our community has access to critical water safety resources and programs.”
At the YMCA, we’re here to help your family stay safe and enjoy the water all summer long. We hope you consider investing in swim lessons or one of our vital water safety programs. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent or caregiver, ensuring that children and adults alike are equipped with the skills and knowledge to stay safe around water is an investment that can last a lifetime.
Published Monday, March 31, 2025.