Saturday, June 3, 2017

Suits for Little Swimmers


Awhile back I wrote here about all the tragic drownings of children in our area because inexpensive swimming lessons are not available. These are poor children who live surrounded by five rivers, a bay, and the ocean. 

That seems criminal to me and I was excited to learn about a program that makes available to every Georgetown second grader four water safety classes every summer.  While it doesn't seem like nearly enough to make children safe, it is at least a start.

The lessons began when community organizations came together after a tragic boating accident where two teenagers and an adult drowned, and a baby and several adults, all non-swimmers, were pulled from the water.  
All were residents of Sandy Island, a Gullah community reachable only by boat.
 The boat sank only 10 feet from shore.  
 
We sometimes saw these classes when we swam mornings at a community recreation center.  

We saw eager children in cute swim suits jumping into the water, children who swam in street clothes, and some with no swim suits who sat out and watched from a bench.

A group of high school students in a leadership training program are gathering new swim suits and towels for families unable to buy them. 

We were more than happy and excited to pick out six little swim suits and deliver them this weekend, in honor of our four second grade grandsons.

Who knows, maybe one of them will save a life!

🏊🏾.  🏊🏾.  🏊🏾.  🏊🏾

19 comments:

  1. wow, ow sad! Great that they've started a program like that. :)

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  2. great idea to teach children swimm

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  3. Good for you. It always amazes me that people can't swim, sounds like your community is doing something about it.

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  4. Good for you. It always amazes me that people can't swim, sounds like your community is doing something about it.

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  5. It' beyond imagination that in this age kids don't have the opportunity to learn to swim.

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  6. Swimming classes are mandatory here in Australia.
    I must say that I am surprised at your report on the
    US situation.
    Colin

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  7. Remember the post about no swimming lesson.
    It's good that it's now being seen to, and sad those people had to lose their lives.

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  8. What a lovely gesture for those poor kids. Our schools have compulsory free swimming lessons up to the age of 10.I hope the programme helps.

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  9. A generous and lovely gesture. Hopefully the programme will help save many lives.

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  10. So sad they even are not able to buy swimsuits. Hope they all learn to swim now in these colourful suits and no one ever drowns anymore.

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  11. I used to teach swimming and I think it's a very good skill to have early on. Besides learning the swimming skill, another thing they should be taught is what to do if they get dumped into water with their clothes on. And they need to practice that in a controlled/safe way. Thanks for making a difference! Those little suits are CUTE!

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  12. What a wonderful program - and so needed in your neck of the woods (or maybe section of the pond?).
    When I taught in the city, I was amazed at the number of kids who didn't know how to swim, but then if all you have is spray parks and your parent doesn't have the time/money/inclination to get you to a pool, how could you learn?

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  13. My heart sank reading this hearing about children drowning. We are giving our grand girls swimming lessons. It's so important. Their Dad and Mom Put up a 4feet deep by about 15 feet pool for the summer. I just cannot stress to them enough that young ones their age will just jump in and think they can swim. I am so happy to hear about this great program. It will certainly help these children to at least be able to save themselves if they fall in. I know the YMCA where these lessons are taught stress safety in and around the water.

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  14. That is such a good idea. A two year old boy drowned in a pool in a town not far from her just last week. He crawled through the doggie door, went straight for the pool and fell in. It is so sad! You sure picked out some cute little suite.

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  15. Hard to believe but at least something had to be done. btw I had to teach my wife how to swim & she grew up in Highland Park area of St Paul....

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  16. Terrible to think of anyone, especially little kids, perishing like that. Just 10' from shore? Mind you, I was brought up by the sea and I'm a shockingly bad swimmer. Your programme sounds like a stroke of brilliance.

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  17. This is certainly a worthwhile project with classes soon out and children in the water. Kudos to you for helping keep children safe.

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  18. No swimming lessons, that is sad, How wonderful of you to help out with the swim suits!! :)

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