What is Safety Around Water?

FREE Sessions - April 29-May 3, 2024 - Open to Ages 3-12 (Members and Non-members)

The Y's Safety Around Water program consists of 5 days of lessons that teach kids water safety skills that help reduce the risk of drowning & build their skills & confidence in and around water. A typical session includes:

  • Exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water

  • Instruction in two skill sets kids can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water: Jump, Push, Turn, Grab and Swim, Float, Swim.

  • Safety topics like what to do if you see someone in the water who needs help

  • Fun activities that reinforce skills

 

Class Availability
Downtown Hamilton North River Cleveland 
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Classes are filling up fast. If you are unable to join a session, consider one of our 2024 Summer Day Camps for your child. NEW this year, all day camps will include FREE swim lessons for the first time ever. Browse options now.

Be Water Smart From the Start!

Annually, over 3,500 American children are treated in the emergency due to a drowning-related incident. Approximately 75% of child drownings occur because of a lapse in adult supervision of less than five minutes. 

  • It takes less than one minute for a child to silently slip below the water's surface.
  • Most drownings occur within 10-30 feet of safety.

You are your child's best lifeguard. However, without proper training or strong swimming ability, you could put yourself in danger. If possible, only swim in areas where a lifeguard is present. Use barriers around the pool and assign an adult to supervise pool activities even when a lifeguard is on duty. Never jump in to save someone. Throw out a flotation device or use a pole to reach a drowning child or adult. 

We believe the ability to swim is a critical life skill for every child, teen and adult. In swim lessons, we use a variety of methods to help overcome fears, build confidence in the water and develop skills that last a lifetime. Qualified instructors meet kids and adults at their own level, help families set achievable goals and celebrate all successes. 

We offer free swim assessments to Y members under the age of 12 that include:

  • Treading water for one minute 
  • Swimming the length of the pool 
  • Floating on front and back 
  • Jumping into water over their head 

If your child is unable to complete this test, they should remain in the shallow end of the pool and within arm's length of an adult at all times.

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Our Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. 

Our Mission to Inclusion: At the YMCA, we strongly believe we should all work together toward achieving a member environment that is welcoming for individuals, regardless of age, religion, abilities, gender or socioeconomic status. To achieve our mission of empowering all people to reach their full potential, the Y is committed to providing an environment that embodies our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.