If you’re reading this and can’t swim, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 37% of adult Americans cannot swim. Worst even, this inability, which often correlates with a fear of the water, is often passed on to their children. And with drowning as the nation’s second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14, this is a big problem. This especially is true for minorities. According to the USA Swimming Foundation:

  • 70% of African American children can’t swim
  • 60% of Latino children can’t swim
  • 40% of Caucasian children can’t swim

How Do We Break the Cycle?

In 2009, the American Academy of Pediatrics conducted a study that concluded that children who are enrolled in formal swim lessons have an 88% reduced risk of drowning. These numbers can’t be ignored. It’s no wonder that the USA Swimming Foundation established a program called “Make a Splash” in 2009 that aims to teach kids to swim and be safe in the water. The movement has gone across the country, with specific attention to lower income and poverty-stricken areas, to teach kids how to swim. Cullen Jones, 2008 gold medal-winner in the Beijing Olympics, has even signed on as the spokesperson. For more about the program, feel free to check out the video below:

Learning to Swim at Goldfish

For those of you who are reading this, you probably have heard about Goldfish Swim School from a friend, you have a child enrolled, or you’re thinking about joining. We are so glad you’ve made it this far.

At Goldfish, our goal is to make sure that your child is safe and comfortable in the water-that fear is diminished, a respect for the power of water is gained and that fun is had along the way. All of this goes into what we call the Golden Experience.

Our teachers are certified swim instructors that go through a 40-hour training program and are CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard certified with a love and patience for children. It’s important to start early. When an infant is born, he has a set number of neurons in his brain that help him make sense of the world around him. When he is introduced to the water, his instinct essentially tells him to fear it because it is unfamiliar (source). At Goldfish, we gradually introduce your children to the water, giving their brains time to make the appropriate neural pathways that affect learning and memory. This process needs to be three-fold. We introduce your child verbally, visually and physically, using encouraging and positive reinforcements for every accomplishment along the way. The next step is never taken before the first is mastered.

Are you thinking about enrolling your child? Please, we encourage you to pre-register for lessons at the Goldfish Swim School near you. Pre-registering online requires no upfront commitment. It will give us a chance to review your child’s swimming comfort before calling you back.

We look forward to hearing from you!