JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens (PIX11) — In the wake of the tragic drownings of four teens at public beaches, local leaders are launching a new initiative aimed at teaching children how to swim in hopes of preventing future drownings.
Eight-year-old Shane was among dozens of kids Monday enjoying his day at the Garden School’s pool while getting free swimming lessons as part of a new swim program called ‘Wave Makers.’
“I love swimming so much,” Shane said.
The pilot program addresses the growing concern over water safety for the city’s youth, particularly in areas where access to swimming lessons is often limited. Shane’s mom, Fianna Avila, said learning to swim is a crucial skill.
“Once you learn how to swim, it’s like riding a bike,” said Avila. “You can never forget so it’s really important that they start really young so they have strong lungs and strong muscles and muscle memory so that way they can be able to take care of themselves.”
Two classes are offered weekly at the Garden School’s pool, serving more than 100 students. Right now, the pilot program is geared toward second and third-graders, and it is intended to expand to all ages, including adults.
The program comes as there have been four recent drownings at public beaches, including two teenage sisters at Coney Island earlier this month and two teens at Jacob Riis Beach in June.
“Four drowning deaths in the first few weeks of summer,” Council Member Shekar Krishnan said. “That is the same as the number of drownings we have had in all of last summer.”
Local leaders said the initiative is part of a broader call to action urging city and state agencies to improve safety at public beaches, including extending beach hours and lifeguard shifts past 6 p.m.
A spokesperson for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation said their security staff patrols the beaches and shorelines for several hours after the beaches close. They also added that other agencies, like the NYPD, operate drones over beach water after hours.
In response to inquiries about beach safety, a spokesperson for city hall said that the city has more total lifeguards at this point in the season (over 870) than it did at its highest total last year (850), meaning their efforts to hire, recruit, and retain lifeguards are working.
“One in four children in New York do not know how to swim, and those numbers are higher in black and brown communities,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “It’s simply unacceptable. As a parent, I have to say, no parent should be burying a child.”
The program currently serves around 2,000 students at private pools across the city with hopes of implementing the program at public city pools to serve even more swimmers.
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