The YMCA is Offering Free Swim and Water Safety Lessons for National Water Safety Month

The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in everyone’s eagerness to jump into summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in a residential pool or at the beach. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever. For National Water Safety Month this May, the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina is encouraging parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety skills with the whole family.

“As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ our YMCAs annually teach more than 750 children valuable water safety and swimming skills,” says Shannon Berg, Executive Director of the Nir Family YMCA. “Now more than ever, it’s important to remind parents and caregivers that water safety needs to be top-of-mind as families start to return to their favorite summertime activities.”

As part of National Water Safety Month, the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina is offering free swim and water safety lessons for children and adults to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer. These lessons are open to the public, though pre-registration is required.

International Water Safety Day       

Date
Monday, May 15^th 2023

Times
3:30pm to 7:30pm                               

Locations
Nir Family YMCA 2710 Market St. Wilmington, NC                                                         
Sampson County YMCA 417 E. Johnson St. Clinton, NC

Learn More

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson^TM

Date
Thursday, June 22^nd 2023

Times
Various

Locations
Nir Family YMCA 2710 Market St. Wilmington, NC
Legion Stadium Pool 2131 Carolina Beach Rd. Wilmington, NC          
Sampson County YMCA 417 E. Johnson St. Clinton, NC
Robert Strange Pool 410 S. 10th St. Wilmington, NC

Learn More

5 Tips for Parents About Water Safety

Additionally, the YMCA is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to keep children safe around water:

1. Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water. Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
2. Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times.  Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.
3. Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.
4. Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
5. Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

The YMCA offers swimming lessons year-round for infants, school-aged children, and adults! Learn more about swimming lessons at the Y by visiting www.ymcasenc.org/swim-lessons