YMCA swim instructor Evan Marx assists Aaron Jean-Louis during a Learn to Swim class in June 2014.
Press release from The Community YMCA
As part of a national YMCA effort to increase water safety awareness and prevent drowning, the Community YMCA is committed to providing more Monmouth County youth and adults access to water safety lessons through the Learn to Swim Week program.
From Tuesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 27, The CYMCA invites Monmouth County residents who have little or no swimming ability to take part in Learn to Swim Week. The program, which includes five lessons for a fee of $15, offers lessons for ages 6 months (with parent/caregiver) to adults. The Y’s water safety initiative also includes a week of free water safety and swim lessons for all third grade students in Red Bank, to help prepare them for a safe summer around water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of death among children ages 5-14, and the rates are even higher for Latino and African American children. Rebecca Rivera, Aquatics Director at the Y’s Red Bank facility, said the Learn to Swim Week program introduces beginners to the aquatic environment, teaches basic learn-to-swim skills and increases water safety awareness for families.
“Learn to Swim Week gives everyone in our community the opportunity to learn fundamental water safety and swimming skills that can help save lives,” said The Community YMCA President and CEO Rhonda Anderson.
Additionally, The Community YMCA offers a variety of aquatics programs throughout the year, including swim lessons for all ages, family swim time and competitive swimming at two locations: the Family Health and Wellness Center in Red Bank, and the Lass Aquatics Center at Camp Zehnder in Wall.
Participants do not need to be Y members, but must register in advance for the community outreach program at the Family Health and Wellness Center, located at 166 Maple Avenue in Red Bank. Space is limited and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Families interested in learning more about Learn to Swim Week and how to enroll their children in Y swimming and water safety classes should visit the CYMCA’s website.
