Redwood City Youth Invited To Take Part in Free 'Safety Around Water' Program

From Sequoia YMCA: Sequoia YMCA’s SPLASH Safety Around Water program teaches kids vital, life-saving water safety skills. Two children die every day as a result of drowning. The leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 is drowning and is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14. As an organization dedicated to creating safe spaces for all, the Y’s Safety Around Water program offers kids a free week of water safety instruction and basic swim lessons.

Research has shown that participation in formal swimming instruction can prevent drowning. The Y is the nation’s leading provider of community-based swim lessons. With more than 1 million children participating in swim lessons, at 2,700 locations in 10,000 communities, the Y bridges the gap between swim lessons and water safety education.

For the past 25 years, Sequoia YMCA offers SPLASH Safety Around Water program, sponsored by Cargill, for Redwood City children, especially minority and underserved populations who are at higher risk for drowning than other populations. “Statistics show that in particular communities, the rates of drowning are far worse than the rates that are already bleak in other communities,” said Julie Wesolek, Executive Director of Sequoia YMCA. "The Y has always been at the forefront of meeting critical needs, especially in underserved communities. With Cargill Salt’s financial support and volunteer leadership, our volunteer and
staff instructors show kids that they can find lifelong pleasure and feel safe, confident and happy in and around water."

The program teaches kids and their family water safety skills to prevent drowning. During the free week-long course, kids will learn how to respond if they find themselves in unexpected water situations—from how to reach the surface if they become submerged, to safely reaching a pool’s edge or exiting any body of water. Kids will also learn about beach and boating safety, how to summon a lifeguard, and how to recognize dangerous conditions like rip currents.

Since 1991, more than 5,000 youth have learned to swim during SPLASH Safety Around Water Week at Sequoia YMCA. This year, Sequoia YMCA SPLASH Safety Around Water is running during Spring Break for Redwood City’s School District April 10 – April 14. Any child, ages 5-12 can register ($5.00 donation requested). Simply register at the front desk at Sequoia YMCA by Friday, April 7.

If you would like more information about the water safety program or swimming lessons, visit www.sequoiaymca.org.

Photo courtesy of the Sequoia YMCA