Two things happened to lead me to write this post:
1. A Twitter follower asked, “Do you know where my son can get free swimming lessons?”
2. A friend, Tori, who blogs at The STORIbook, posted this frightening story on Facebook last year:
“[My preschooler] fell in the pool today after swim lessons. I’ve never been so scared in my life (or moved so FAST). Had to jump in with my clothes to get him (thank goodness [my baby] was asleep in his carrier). I can’t stop hugging him and if I think about it too much it makes me tear up. Things can happen so quickly. It just shows you how important it is to teach our children to swim.”
I’m so glad her little boy is OK. But she’s right: drowning happens quickly.
From Mario Vittone’s article, Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning, “[Drowning] is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening.”
Read Mario’s entire article to understand what drowning people really look like (it’s not the dramatic arm-flailing, screaming scene we’ve all come to know from movies and TV).
Daunting statistics like these leave us feeling helpless. But there is hope. According to Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2009, “Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged one to four years.”
Thanks to the San Antonio Parks Foundation, your child can attend free outdoor swimming lessons at San Antonio pools this summer:
“Group swimming lessons are offered at the Natatorium for youth ages 4 and up as well as adults. Lessons are designed for beginning and intermediate skill levels. Group swimming lessons include six lessons offered over a two week period. Session dates and times are available vary and are available on our registration site.”
Three ways to register your child for free swimming lessons
Registration for this summer’s free swimming lessons takes place on Saturday, May 19. Here’s how to register:
1. Online at www.saparksandrec.com
2. At the San Antonio Natatorium (1430 West Cesar East Chavez Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78207)
3. At Copernicus, Garza, Melendrez, Normoyle Community Centers from 9:00am to 1:00pm on (May 19th only)
Registration will continue after May 19 at the San Antonio Natatorium during regular business hours.
For more information call 210.207.3299
Visit this link for details on where to register and all other details about these free swimming lessons.
Synchronized Swimming Summer Camps in San Antonio
And, if you have a daughter who is interested in learning synchronized swimming, be sure to visit this post to learn all about the Cygnets of San Antonio Synchronized Swimming Summer Camps in San Antonio:
And, don’t miss:
- Fun Events in San Antonio Today, Sunday, the 1st of December, 2024 - December 1, 2024
- Fun Events in San Antonio Today, Saturday, the 30th of November, 2024 - November 30, 2024
- Fun Events in San Antonio Today, Friday, the 29th of November, 2024 - November 29, 2024
Me gustaría k mis hijos aprendieran a nadar
Este es un programma mejor para niños!
Just FYI, I called and they are nearly all booked up (the Spring Time pool is filled…the one I was looking for), and she said that it was filling up very fast, and you have to go to the Natatorium down town to register. It took about 20 minutes to get a hold of anyone on the phone. Bummer.
I’m so glad you did this post! I wish we could do swim lessons now EVERY DAY…I’m so desperate for him to know how to swim! It’s so very important!
Tori, you were the inspiration! Plus, every summer, I re-read that, “Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning” article to remind myself what drowning really looks like. Then I spend the rest of the summer watching my kids like a hawk when they’re around water (even though they can swim now). I’m so glad your little guy is getting lessons. He’ll be a fish in no time. 🙂
I’m so glad peolpe can find free swimming lessons! It really is important – but they can be expensive!
Thanks for your hard work and dedication, It is a blessing to have this information available so families in San Antonio can have a safe and fun summer. ‘Thanks again!
Does anyone know if there are free swimming lessons more in the NE part of San Antonio?
Are they offering free swimming lessons this year?