Click the video above to see how the Y teams up with Florida Blue to save lives.
More than 6,700 children across Tampa Bay are now armed with the skills they need to save their own lives. Thanks to the generosity of the Florida Blue Foundation, the YMCAs of Tampa Bay provided free Safety Around Water classes to thousands of beginners and non-swimmers across seven bay area counties this year.
The Y and the Florida Blue Foundation believe teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Throughout the year, the partnership enabled more than 30 Ys in the Tampa Bay area to teach essential water safety lessons. During the 4-day course, certified Y instructors teach kids a sequenced set of skills that will reduce the risk of drowning and give them confidence in and around water. Other participating Ys in the collaborative effort include the YMCA of the Suncoast, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Manatee YMCA and SKY Family Y.
Although Safety Around Water lessons have wrapped up for the year, families can sign up for swim lessons at any Tampa Y center all year long. At the Y, we teach youth, teens and adults to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy.