Summertime is on the way, meaning pool and beach time for many children and adults. In recognition of National Water Safety Month, the New Canaan YMCA reminds parents and swimmers to practice safety in and around the water. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the leading cause of death in children under age four and the fifth leading cause of death in individuals under age 24. Learning how to swim and basic water safety behavior are essential skills for children, teens, and adults.
As part of its commitment to strengthening the community through youth development and healthy living, the Y offers a variety of swim programs that teach water safety skills and give children and adults the chance to explore the many health benefits of swimming. The National Y swim lesson program is designed for ages six months and older. Swim lesson participants learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by mastering the six stages of the program, from water acclimation to stroke mechanics.
In addition to its year-round swim lessons, the Y will offer morning swim lessons once again this summer at the Steve Benko pool in Waveny Park in partnership with the New Canaan Recreation Department. Lessons are available as week-long sessions for ages three through twelve. The Y will also offer afternoon swim lessons on-site as week-long sessions for ages six months through twelve years.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, swim lessons can significantly reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% in children. In order to ensure everyone has access to the life-saving skill of swimming, the New Canaan YMCA recently updated its financial assistance program to provide swim lessons at no cost to New Canaan residents who receive SNAP, Husky A or D, or WIC benefits. For additional information about this swim lesson opportunity, contact Diana Riolo, Assistant Director of Development & Community Impact at the New Canaan YMCA, at 203-920-1685 or driolo@newcanaanymca.org.
The New Canaan YMCA has also proudly served as the swim lesson provider for Horizons at CT State Norwalk for the past six years. Thanks to a generous grant by the John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation, 72 Horizons campers received swim lessons at no cost last summer. Campers in third through eighth grade attended daily lessons for five weeks, designed to help each swimmer build confidence in and out of the water.
As a leader in water safety, the New Canaan YMCA shares the following recommendations to help keep our community safe while having fun in the water this summer:
• Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water.
• Be a water watcher and practice “phone down, eyes up” at the pool, beach, or lakeside. Your eyes can save lives by watching those in the water instead of your phone.
• Ensure your children are within arm’s reach at all times while swimming.
• Designate a “safety seat” near the water, a secure and stable position for children or individuals new to swimming.
• Don’t engage in breath-holding activities.
• Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.
• Practice the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach and pull friends struggling in deep water to safety.
• Know your limits and don’t overestimate your swimming abilities, especially in unfamiliar water.
To learn more about the New Canaan YMCA swim lesson programs and aquatic offerings, contact Kristin White, Senior Director of Aquatics at the New Canaan YMCA, at 203-920-1634 or kwhite@newcanaanymca.org.
About the New Canaan YMCA
Founded in 1954 by a group of community volunteers, the New Canaan YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enrich all people in spirit, mind, and body. As an inclusive community service organization, the YMCA turns away no one for reasons of race, religion, or economic background, and each year awards approximately $200,000 in direct financial assistance. Serving the communities of New Canaan, Pound Ridge, and South Salem, the YMCA also strives to partner with a variety of outside organizations to further its role as a community service provider.
