CINCINNATI — A trio of organizations joined forces to make sure children and teens across Cincinnati feel safe getting into the water this summer.
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the American Red Cross and Jack & Jill of America, Inc. are promoting the importance of learning to swim with free swim lessons at 16 CRC pools.
Registration begins in person at 4 p.m. Tuesday at participating locations.
CRC will fund the free lessons and Red Cross trained instructors will lead the swimming lessons for children 17 and under.
“Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children ages 1 to 4 than any other cause except for birth defects,” said Stephanie Byrd, CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Dayton Region of the American Red Cross, during a news conference Monday at the Evanston pool.
According to CRC officials, these are five skills everyone should be able to perform in the water:
- How to step or jump into water that’s over their head
- Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute
- Turn around in a full circle and find an exit
- Swim 25 yards to the exit without stopping
- Exit from the water and, if in a pool, exit without a ladder
The free lessons begin June 10, and a CRC membership is required, according to the department’s website.
Click here for the complete list of participating pool locations. The free lessons are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children ages 4 to 17 can also earn a free pool membership by completing the first full session of swim lessons.
Call 513-357-POOL (7665) or email aquatics@cincinnati-oh.gov for more information.
