Water Safety Programs
Safety Around Water Program
Through the Safety Around Water (SAW) program, Tampa Bay area children can receive free water safety and swim lessons at 11 Tampa Y locations in Hillsborough and East Pasco counties. The Tampa YMCA is hosting its free Safety Around Water sessions during Spring Break, March 15-18, 2021. Future SAW sessions will be announced for May and August.
The SAW program is free and open to all 3-12-year-old beginners and non-swimmers in the Tampa Bay community. During the four-day course, certified instructors teach kids a sequenced set of skills that will reduce the risk of drowning and give them confidence in and around water. Participants must be present on the first day of the class and bring their own swimsuit and towel. A YMCA membership is NOT required; however, due to limited space, pre-registration is required. Contact your local Tampa YMCA with any questions. Sign up for Safety Around Water today!
Other participating Y associations include YMCA of the Suncoast, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Manatee Family YMCA and SKY Family YMCA.
Mobile Swim and Water Safety Education
The Tampa Y partners with the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) to bring an innovative water safety program to local neighborhoods at no cost. This water safety program is generously funded by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. The Mobile Water Safety Team “Be Water Smart from the Start” initiative brings water safety and swim lessons to apartment communities and neighborhood HOA pools for children, ages 3-14 years located within Hillsborough County.
During the summer, mobile swim lessons are offered in 45-minute classes during either the morning or afternoon, Monday-Friday, for one week. When school is in session, lessons are offered three times a week for two weeks in the evening. Hillsborough County properties interested in offering the program, may contact amanda.walker@tampaymca.org for more information and next steps. Families interested in bringing the program to their property, must first contact their property management team and share their interest. The property manager can then reach out to the program contact listed above for more information.
The Mobile Water Safety Team also provides a session of five private swim lessons to children with special needs, ages 3-14, at no cost. This program is offered at any Tampa YMCA or BSAC location nearest you. Nationally certified swim instructors will provide 30-minute private swim lessons tailored to each individual child to encourage him/her to be safer around water. Prior to the start of the first lesson, parents/caregivers should plan to complete a “Swim Lesson Readiness” phone call to ensure you and your child are fully informed of what this program offers. Families interested in this private swim lesson opportunity should contact amanda.walker@tampaymca.org.
Head Start Swim Lessons
The Tampa Y also collaborates with the City of Tampa Park and Recreation Department, Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center and the City of Temple Terrace Park and Recreation Department for the Hillsborough County Head Start Swim Lesson program. This program is generously funded by Hillsborough County. Throughout the spring and fall, children participating in Hillsborough County Head Start programs receive eight free swim lessons at our family Ys. The partnership also provides classroom-based water safety education to these underserved youth.
Our Partners in Water Safety Programs
