New, monthly class works to prepare young swimmers for summer season
CAMAS — Lacamas Athletic Club, (LAC), is now offering a free monthly water safety and swimming class for children 7 years and older.
The 45-minute classes are aimed at reducing the number of water-related deaths and injuries every year, says General Manager Nathan Murphy.
“Our hope is that the kids will learn some basic water safety skills before the summer swim season get here,” Murphy said in an email. “Swimmers will receive a report card at the end showing their current skills and a recommended level to continue on for swim lessons.”
Roughly 4,000 people drown in the U.S. each year, with an average of 25 in Washington state, according to Clark County Public Works.
Murphy said numbers like those are his motivation for offering the class, taught by owner and aquatics director Denise Croucher.
The skills taught to the students are based on training recommended by the American Red Cross. The students are then placed into groups for a short swim lesson.
“We already offer year round swim lessons, but this is a free option that will allow anyone in the community to participate,” Murphy said.
The first class was held on Sat., Jan. 26, and was for children 6 years and younger. Upcoming classes will be on Feb. 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, and June 22.
Future class dates are tentative, but updates can be found on the LAC website.
