YMCA Offers Free Water Safety Classes During Spring Break

LARGO, FL – With its many beaches, lakes, rivers, springs and pools, Florida loses more children younger than 5 to drowning than any other state, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The YMCAs in Pinellas County wants to end this trend by helping all children learn how to swim. During Safety Around Water Week, YMCA of the Suncoast will give children ages 3-12 who are non-swimmers or beginners basic swimming skills that can keep them safe and build confidence in the water.

The free water safety programs will take place during Spring Break, March 21-25. Pre-registration is required for classes at the following locations:

• Clearwater YMCA
• Greater Ridgecrest YMCA in Largo
• Great Palm Harbor YMCA
• North Pinellas (Palm Harbor/East Lake) YMCA

The YMCAs of Tampa Bay, the Rays Foundation, JWB of Pinellas, the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and the United Way of the Suncoast is teaming up for the Be Water Smart from the Start initiative. Now in its third year, the program teaches children and adults the importance of water safety. Y-USA also introduced its Safety Around Water last year, which also encourages parents about the importance of water safety skills and to help provide more access to water safety lessons.

Through both programs, YMCA of the Suncoast will provide children and adults from low-income and under-served communities to participate in free water safety lessons. Last year, the YMCAs of Tampa Bay taught more than 3,000 children and adults how to be safe around water.

For more information, visit the YMCA of the Suncoast’s website.

Image via Shutterstock

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