SWIM ACCESS

SWIM ACCESS is a program which helps underserved youth with free swim safety instruction. The program’s goal is to reduce youth drowning in our area. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages one to 14 years old. In ethnically diverse communities, the youth drowning rate is two to three times higher than the national average, according to a USA Swimming study.

Goals of the program are to provide access to pools, teach basic swimming skills, reduce youth drowning through water safety instruction, and educate parents.

In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children can increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming also motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing—skills that last a lifetime.