New city program to teach more kids to swim, free, in hopes of saving lives

Southwest Pool in West Seattle is expected to be part of a program announced by Mayor Bruce Harrell today. Registration will open May 16th for Swim Seattle, described as “a new drowning-prevention and youth aquatics initiative.” Here’s the city news release, sent following a launch event at Rainier Beach Pool:

Swim Seattle is a new initiative that will combine the efforts of YMCA, Public Health—Seattle & King County, Associated Recreation Council, Washington State Parks, No More Under, Seattle Children’s, and the University of Washington to remove barriers to learning to swim and to eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color.

In 2023, Swim Seattle will begin as a pilot by providing a year of free lessons to a cohort of 250 youth, prioritizing access to those who cannot afford lessons, while also providing workshops to support children and their families in becoming comfortable swimmers and water safe.

“Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is an important lesson that will serve them for years to come,” said Mayor Harrell. “For far too long, lack of access to swim lessons and water safety education has put children and families of color at a disproportionate risk of drowning. Swim Seattle will address these disparities by offering free lessons to the children who need them most, removing the barriers that have prevented many youth and families from accessing swim lessons and offering culturally responsive workshops so they have the tools they need to stay safe in and around the water. Programs like this will help every child, from every neighborhood, access opportunities to learn and grow, promising a safer future for our entire city.”

“Swim Seattle is a promise that, together with our partners, and any interested investor to come, the Department of Parks and Recreation will not stop until we can eradicate the barriers to learning to swim and erase the needless risk and harm to our children. While we are starting small, with phased and implemented pilot programs to study effective outcomes, we know a program like Swim Seattle cannot wait, and drowning disparity data amongst white children and children of color implores us to act now. Swimming is an essential life skill that must be taught to all children, and Swim Seattle will ensure that all those living in a city surrounded by water can enjoy that water safely,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.

“Water safety is a critical part of childhood development,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “Unfortunately, many historical and generational barriers prevent children (especially children of color) from accessing swimming lessons, including cultural barriers, systemic inequalities, and lack of transportation. We still feel the effects of those barriers today. At the Y, we are breaking barriers to swim safety and fun by offering programs designed to make swim lessons accessible, affordable, and culturally responsive. Water safety is for all and our collective responsibility, and we are excited to join the Swim Seattle collaboration to ensure that every child learns how to swim and stay safe around the water.”

“Water safety is a fundamental life skill that every child should have the opportunity to learn. Swim Seattle is doing its part to ensure that children in our community have access to quality swim lessons, regardless of their financial circumstances. By working together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to swim safely and confidently in our state’s beautiful bodies of water,” said Chezik Tsunoda, Executive Director of No More Under.

“We all have some connection to the dangers of drowning. And we all can help improve this devastating problem. Numbers show that water safety is a critical public health and public safety issue. Swim Seattle invests in our children’s futures and will save lives in the long run,” said Tony Gomez, Manager of Injury Prevention for Public Health-Seattle & King County and one of the co-leads for the Washington State Drowning Prevention Network.

Registration for the first cohort will begin May 16, online, in-person at Seattle pools, and via phone (206-684-8020). Lessons will begin in summer 2023 at pools throughout the city, and workshops for families will be monthly on topics such as skincare and haircare when swimming, addressing fears of water, and water safety practices.

Kyle April 22, 2023 (8:42 pm)

The biggest barrier to Seattle Parks swim classes seems to be availability of those classes. They usually sell out in 30 minutes of going live on the parks website.

Swimmer April 23, 2023 (9:27 am)

I agree. Not only are the lessons extremely hard to secure a spot in, but pool hours are very limited for those who want to go the diy route teaching their kids. The southwest pool is completely closed on sundays, and closes at 2:30 on saturdays. Just expanding the hours would go a long way to allow parents to teach their kids in the absence of more formal offerings.
Luke April 23, 2023 (12:26 pm)

Agree 100%
Lauren April 23, 2023 (4:01 pm)

This has been my experience too. Even if I’m on the signup site within 5 minutes of registration opening… no luck. Other parents have told me this, too.

Me mama April 22, 2023 (9:27 pm)

I’m honestly surprised this hasn’t existed previously. Knowing how to swim is a critical skill in our region. I used to see YMCA daycare kids line up for Y swim lessons which I always thought was so brilliant to combine. Let’s do that more!

Swimming Teacher April 23, 2023 (6:24 am)

Many years ago I was a long term guest PE teacher up north. All kids at the school received two weeks of swimming lessons every year. I not only got to teach pe but swimming as well! And of course the program was cut and hasn’t existed in years.

Weaver April 23, 2023 (6:35 am)

Exactly- not enough instructors!they even had a program for free certification to become instructors if you would work for Seattle parks and rec

Mike April 24, 2023 (4:52 pm)

SPR offers free Lifeguard Training for those who apply and paid training for lifeguard staff to learn to teach lessons.

Brenda April 23, 2023 (8:38 am)

This is great! My son and I rescued an adult immigrant man a few years back in a lake who couldn’t swim. Do you have information on the ages this program will serve? I’d like to share with friends in the immigrant community. Thanks

Jen April 23, 2023 (8:52 am)

What Kyle said!

AF April 24, 2023 (7:08 am)

Does anyone know if the southwest pool is warmer now? I tried taking my kiddo there about 9 years ago and it was FREEZING! The YMCA pool is pretty cold too. So is the pool at west seattle health club. I used to go all the way to the china harbor pool because it was the only one that was warm but that closed because the building was unstable. Rainier beach pool is amazing but their lessons sell out in like 5 minutes.

Kyle April 24, 2023 (2:47 pm)

I actually spoke with someone at the Southwest pool about this. The problem is they have old legacy pools that must serve multiple interests. Families and young kids want the water warmer for general play, people swimming laps want it cooler for exercise. This is the middle ground temp they’ve set for Southwest Pool and there didn’t seem interest in changing it. She actually recommended driving over to Rainier Beach since they have multiple pools and have a warmer one for kids.

westseattlebob April 24, 2023 (10:01 am)

So the website states that the general public gets access to swim registration on the 23rd not the 16th which is set aside for scholarship eligible participants. Does this then change that date or?? Is there any knowledge of more classes being offered??

WSB April 24, 2023 (11:43 am)

The 3/23 registration for scholarship-eligible participation was separate from this program. This was announced as a separate program for which a “cohort” of participating families will be chosen. Lots of questions so I’m hoping to follow up with Parks for further clarifications.

WaterMom in WSea April 24, 2023 (3:41 pm)

This is definitely made for a quickly scale-up-able train-the-trainers approach. If Seattle Parks&Rec and YMCA could collaborate to create one simple (or scaled down from the YMCA’s own very strong established program), standardized, training program: we could take in volunteers for micro-group, nearly individualized instruction that could meet people where they are, and make big gains in water safety, especially if more pool-time could be carved out/set aside for just such lessons via trained volunteers. Or copy Australia (what do they do? they’re THE swimming nation!) As a mom who had the advantages tobe able to get her child in early for lessons, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE we live on the West Sea Penninsula ie surrounded by water and i wanted her as water-proofed as possilbe early — let’s do this for all! Together we should, and can!

Seattle Parks and Recreation Communications May 1, 2023 (10:56 am)

Families can sign up for the City’s swim class programming by calling your local pool. As part of Seattle Parks and Recreation’s commitment to equitable and accessible programming, summer swim registration for indoor pools will open for current scholarship eligible participants on 5/16/23. Registration will open for the general public on 5/23/23. More information here. Please follow our blog and social media channels for more information on upcoming Swim Seattle events and activities (workshops, etc.).

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