YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region offers free swim lessons for at-risk youth

Many children enjoy cooling off at the pool on hot summer days but this is also the time of the year more drownings happen.

To increase awareness of the issue, YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region taught nearly 100 children how to swim for free.

For some, it was their first time diving in at the Fountain-Fort Carson High School swimming pool.

“Swimming is one of those sports I really like,” said Arick Evans.

Evans, 8, is no stranger to the sport, but being able to take lessons with his younger sisters, is important to him.

“When I come, I learn new things about how to be safe in the water, how to swim just in case something happens. If I fall overboard or somebody else falls overboard, I know how to rescue them or myself,” said Evans.

Instructors taught all types of children, even hearing-impaired children how to swim.

“We have everything from hearing impaired to a few special needs, a lot of low income and a lot of military families,” said Page Waters, program coordinator.

Three children die everyday in the U.S. from drowning. The goal of the class is to educate both the children and parents that drowning is preventable.

“It’s just safe when they’re younger to start that way if something was to happen. If you go camping or to the lakes, the kids can go swimming, no problem,” said parent Brittany Voci.

The classes aim to help children from all backgrounds, in any water situation.

“Our end goal is really to teach kids how to be safe. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under the age of 14,” said Waters.

The YMCA is hosting free swim classes again Friday and Saturday.