As families and individuals begin planning time around pools, beaches, waterways, and lakes, the YMCA of Greater Houston is encouraging kids, older teens, and adults to learn to swim or refine their skills before the warmer months arrive. Learning early, regardless of age, helps everyone feel safe and prepared around water. To support this effort, the YMCA of Greater Houston has launched a new swim model designed to help every swimmer progress safely and confidently.
“Now is a great time for everyone to learn how to swim and be safe around water,” said Stephen Ives, president and CEO, YMCA of Greater Houston. “Having started my YMCA career decades ago as a lifeguard, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for people to feel comfortable and confident in the water. No matter where families or individuals are in their swimming journey, we want people to feel welcomed, supported, and confident as they learn.”
According to the CDC, drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death among children in the United States. At the same time, tens of millions of adults report they do not know how to swim, and more than half have never taken a swim lesson, increasing the risk for entire families and communities.
The YMCA of Greater Houston’s new swim model helps participants start at the appropriate level and take an important step toward water safety before summer. With access to indoor and heated outdoor pools, families and individuals can begin swim lessons now, ahead of peak swimming season. Lessons are grouped by age to ensure swimmers receive instruction tailored to their skill level, with each stage building skills and confidence.
With a long-standing commitment to water safety, the YMCA of Greater Houston continues to make a meaningful impact across the community. The new swim model builds on existing efforts such as Safety Around Water (SAW), which provides hands-on education and access to water survival skills, and “Phones Down, Eyes Up,” a public service campaign that promoted active, undistracted adult supervision near water.
All YMCA aquatics programs are conducted under the supervision of certified lifeguards and trained instructors. Financial assistance is also available for select programs and locations. To learn more about the YMCA of Greater Houston and to register for swim lessons, please visit https://ymcahouston.org/.