Kids and families in Seattle have a splashy opportunity coming up next month, as the Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) gears up to make a big wave with its State Water Safety Day. The sun will be shining on community fun and learning as the SPR hosts a free, family-friendly event at Rainier Beach Community Center & Pool on May 18, aimed at taking the "sink or swim" out of learning how to navigate the city's prevalent waters safely. According to a report by Parkways Seattle, the event will run from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. and is part of the larger Swim Seattle Initiative, geared toward drowning prevention and ensuring equitable access to swimming lessons.
The day promises not just a free swim from 12:30 to 2 P.M., but also an assembly of activities for the attendees. Expect free food, music, and a bevy of guest speakers to pep up the crowd. And for some early birds, there will be a limited number of life jacket giveaways to snag. AP Diaz, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, told Parkways Seattle, "In this City of water we have to end the disproportionate drownings among children of color and ensure all kids, regardless of their backgrounds, have equitable access to learn the fundamentals of swimming, an essential life skill."
For those new to the initiative, Swim Seattle is a remarkable partnership that includes SPR, the YMCA of Greater Seattle, Public Health-Seattle & King County, and several other local organizations. In its inception year of 2023, the program provided a year's worth of free swim lessons to a select group of 250 youth. More than just teaching kids how to tread water, Swim Seattle offers workshops for the whole family, designed to foster a culture of safety and enjoyment around the aquatic environment.
Since its kickoff, Swim Seattle's impact isn't just making waves. More than 1,100 free swim lessons have been provided to families that can't afford them, proving this initiative is more than a drop in proverbial bucket when it comes to community service. HP Diaz, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, emphasized the crucial nature of the program in a statement obtained by Parkways Seattle, saying, "In this City of water we have to end the disproportionate drownings among children of color and ensure all kids, regardless of their backgrounds, have equitable access to learn the fundamentals of swimming, an essential life skill."
