Every summer I feel the same nervous anticipation about my girls.
I say to myself, “Both of them could swim fairly well last year…but will their romp in the water this summer be like starting all over again — a frantic search for a towel when a mere drop of water hits my 6-year-old’s face, or an attempt by my nearly 4-year-old to choke down half the water in the pool, in a day?”
By the end of this summer, I know they’ll be darting through the water like fish, but right now — because their bodies grow every year — it could take some time for them to readjust their movements and techniques to become comfortable with the way their ‘new’ bodies now work in water.
I learned that last year, when teaming up with the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast and its Safety Around Water program, to get the message out about swimming safety and teaching kids life-saving swimming skills.
It will take a little patience, persistence, and perseverance — but I know I’ll get through it.
Oh, the girls? They’re likely already 10 breast strokes ahead of me.
The YMCA is dedicated to protecting children in the water, in part by offering free swim lessons to disadvantaged young people.
Learn more about the Y’s Safety Around Water program at http://bit.ly/1ZcMEgv.
About the Author
Joy Purdy is the co-anchor of News4Jax’s 5:30, 6:30 and 11 p.m. weeknight news. After taking much of the year off to spend time with her two young children, she recently returned to the anchor desk with The Local Station.
YMCA’s Safety Around Water Program
Being a leader in water safety and swim instruction, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast offers Safety Around Water swim lessons program to help parents make sure their kids learn essential water safety skills, which can open up a world of possibilities for them to satisfy their curiosity safely. Through learning how to perform a sequenced set of skills over eight lessons of 40 minutes each, the risk of drowning is reduced and it gives your child confidence in and around water.
As a special host, Joy Purdy will join The After Partee presented by the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast at Unity Plaza on May 12 to promote the importance of water safety for children. Purchase your tickets here!
