DROWNING IS SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR KIDS
Adult Present in 88% of Pediatric Drownings
YMCA’s Swim Program Builds Stronger Swimmers and Confident Kids
Free “Safe Swim” at YMCA pools across the metroplex Memorial Day Weekend, including Water Safety Demos
A safety-first focus is available through swimming lessons, water safety demonstrations and other community partnerships at the YMCA year-round. As summer kicks off, water safety becomes a focal point for summer activities.
“Learning to swim is one of the best weapons against drowning. Learning to be safe around the water is a critical life skill,” said Tony Shuman, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. “That’s why our area Ys have been teaching swim lessons for nearly a century.”
Designed to build stronger swimmers and more confident kids, the YMCA swim curriculum teaches children core fundamentals for water safety first and foremost, before addressing stroke technique or form. The three top teaching tools include:
- Always Ask Permission
- Jump – Push – Turn – Grab
- Swim – Float – Swim
“According to the Center for Disease Control formal swim lessons can reduce drowning by 88%. At the Y we believe teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury: it is a necessity,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
The YMCA offers group and individual swim lessons with trained instructors for people of all ages. Scholarships are available based upon need.
“It’s a tragedy that the DFW Metroplex is one of the worst areas for drownings in the United States,” Eric Tucker, President and CEO of the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA stated. “It’s critical that the YMCA and our community partner to ensure that all children and adults learn to swim to avoid such a preventable death.”
The public is invited to learn more about water safety at the Y’s annual Memorial Day Safe Swim celebration:
***MEDIA PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES - Monday, May 27, 2019***
William M. McDonald YMCA – 2901 Moresby Street, Fort Worth, TX 76105
1:30 – 3 p.m.
Day of, on-site contact – Jacquelyn Kotar, 817-266-4452
Town North YMCA – 4332 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX 75229
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Day of, on-site contact – Sarah Byrom, 214-663-0867
Central YMCA – 2200 S Davis Dr, Arlington, TX 76013
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Day of, on-site contact – Jesse Boyd, 540-420-3511
With over 130 years of service to the DFW area, the YMCA serves more than 325,000 unique individuals on an annual basis. We have over 30 branches throughout the metroplex, we are in over 100 schools for afterschool programming and we also offer both day-camp and overnight camp opportunities for youth. Last year alone we were able to give over $16 million in total community benefit which allows the Y to provide crucial healthy living and youth development programming at a discounted rate or even better at no cost at all to community members.
ymcafw.org | ymcadallas.org | amaymca.org