The nonprofit is inviting all children aged 5 to 12 years to attend its annual five-day introductory swim program from April 23 to 27
ORLANDO, FLA. (April X, 2018) – The YMCA of Central Florida is continuing its pursuit to end childhood drowning in Florida. The nonprofit is inviting all local families with children aged 5 to 12 years to sign up and attend its five-day introductory swim program. The complimentary water safety classes will be hosted at 13 family centers across Central Florida from April 23 to 27 and are part of Y-USA’s national initiative, Safety Around Water Week. During the program, YMCA Swim Academy Instructors will cover:
- Exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water
- Instruction in “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” and “Swim, Float, Swim” survival techniques that can help children if they find themselves in a potentially life-threatening situation in the water
- Lessons on safety topics for parents, such as what to do if you see someone in the water who needs help
- Fun activities to reinforce swimming and survival skills
“Every year, 75 child drownings are reported in Florida," said Rowdy Gaines, YMCA Vice President of Aquatics and a three-time Olympic gold medal swimmer. "That is the highest number in the country and we're working to change that. It has been proven that if a child takes swimming lessons, their risk of drowning is reduced by almost 90-percent. With water everywhere in Florida, it’s imperative that every child and their parent learn lifesaving water safety skills.”
There is no fee to sign up for Safety Around Water Week and classes are open to the public. Participating locations are listed below:
| · Aquatic Center YMCA |
· Osceola County YMCA |
| · Blanchard Park YMCA |
· Roper YMCA |
| · Cocoa YMCA |
· South Orlando YMCA |
| · Dr. P. Phillips YMCA |
· Titusville YMCA |
| · Frank DeLuca YMCA |
· Wayne Densch YMCA |
| · Golden Triangle YMCA |
· Winter Park YMCA |
| · Lake Nona YMCA |
|
Registration for the program is on a first-come, first-served basis, so families are encouraged to sign up online or in-person at their neighborhood YMCA as soon as possible. The deadline to sign up is April 18. For more information on available time slots, visit ymcacf.org/safety-around-water.
The YMCA of Central Florida’s Safety Around Water Week is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including Melissa Mishoe, Nemours Children’s Health System and the Florida Swimming Pool Association.
###
About the YMCA of Central Florida
The YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits, serving more than 415,000 Central Floridians per year through a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. With a Christian-based mission to improve lives and communities, it operates 22 YMCA Family Centers across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Marion counties. And this mission is expanded beyond the four walls of the Y through community-based programs to combat chronic disease, boost children’s after-school safety and learning, and strengthen fragile families.