Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced a new drowning prevention and youth aquatics initiative called Swim Seattle. He was at a local pool recently with Seattle Parks and Recreation where he talked about child safety and his drowning-prevention partners. Swim Seattle has combined the efforts of YMCA, Public Health—Seattle & King County, Associated Recreation Council, Washington State Parks, No More Under, Seattle Children’s, and the University of Washington.
The focus was on removing barriers to learning to swim and to eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color. The mayor said, “Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is an important lesson that will serve them for years to come.”
Swim Seattle will provide a year of free lessons to 250 youth. The ones who will be place in the front of the line will be youth who cannot afford lessons. It will also provide workshops to support children and their families in becoming comfortable swimmers and water safe.
“For far too long, lack of access to swim lessons and water safety education has put children and families of color at a disproportionate risk of drowning,” said the mayor. He continued saying that, “Swim Seattle will address these disparities by offering free lessons to the children who need them most, removing the barriers that have prevented many youth and families from accessing swim lessons and offering culturally responsive workshops so they have the tools they need to stay safe in and around the water. Programs like this will help every child, from every neighborhood, access opportunities to learn and grow, promising a safer future for our entire city.”
There will be a registration process. Registration for the first 250 will begin May 16. Youth can register online, in-person at Seattle pools, or by phone (206-684-8020). Lessons will begin this summer at pools throughout the city. The workshops for families will be monthly on topics such as skincare and haircare when swimming, addressing fears of water, and water safety practices.
