Learn to Swim at the YMCA for a Safe & Healthy Lifestyle this Summer

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - July 15, 2013 - PRLog -- With summer here, swim safety is on everyone’s mind.  The Y, as the leading nonprofit teaching people to swim for over 100 years, takes a proactive approach to ensure that all members of our community can learn to swim.  With the knowledge that 75% of all drowning happens in the shallow end with children under 8 years of age, the Y takes a multi-faceted approach to swim safety ensuring children are properly tested for swim level, supervised appropriately while in the pool, and provided with education and skill development to prepare them to be smart and confident swimmers.

The best way to promote water safety is through awareness, education, and developing confidence and skills in the water.  With pools at 4 of our Health & Wellness facilities, the YMCA of Orange County is offering a variety of swim programs for all ages!

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – The YMCA swim lessons uses a progressive approach that is tailored to the skill level of the participant, encouraging kids to gain confidence and improve skills at a pace that works for each child.  A parent/child class for ages 6months – 3 years allows the parent to be a part of their child’s ‘learn to swim’ experience.  Kids can also enjoy water polo and swim team which will improve their skills, physical fitness, and character development in a supportive environment.

FOR HEALTHY LIVING – For teens and adults, the Y offers swim lessons, swim conditioning, lifeguard training, and swim team. YMCA members can also enjoy the pool throughout the day during open swim hours, or enjoy other aquatics classes like Aqua Aerobics or Aqua Zumba, which are included in Health & Wellness membership.

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – To ensure the proper education and training of aquatics professionals and lifeguards in our facilities and communities, the Y also offers ongoing lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid training & certification through the American Red Cross as well as the Jr. Guards program which prepares youth for lifeguarding.  To ensure that all members of our community can learn to swim, the YMCA also offers low cost parent/child swim lessons, free swim assessments and scholarships for qualifying families.

The YMCA Swim programs are open to everyone (members and non-members) and are dedicated to keeping kids and families safe. “Years ago I had my grandchildren take swimming lessons at the YMCA. They were very patient with them. My grandson had a hard time learning and he finally learned to swim. I would recommend the Y to other people!” says Carol Ann P., a member of the YMCA.

For more information about the YMCA and its programs, please visit www.ymcaoc.org.