Grant helps Sequim YMCA host free youth swim lessons

By Michael Dashiell • November 29, 2023 1:30 am
Photo courtesy of Olympic Peninsula YMCA The YMCA of Sequim will host free swim lessons for eligible youths of ages 4-14 in February, thanks to a grant from Step Into Swim, a nationwide initiative dedicated to creating safe swimmers. Registration is open.
Photo courtesy of Olympic Peninsula YMCA The YMCA of Sequim will host free swim lessons for eligible youths of ages 4-14 in February, thanks to a grant from Step Into Swim, a nationwide initiative dedicated to creating safe swimmers. Registration is open.

Thanks to Step Into Swim — a nationwide initiative dedicated to creating safe swimmers — the YMCA of Sequim is offering free swim lessons for eligible children of ages 4-14.

Lessons begin in February, but registration is open now. Enrollment will be based on financial need, and assistance will be provided with registration. To register for lessons, visit the YMCA of Sequim front desk at 610 N. Fifth Avenue or call 360-477-4381.

According to YMCA representatives, fatal drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14 years old. In addition, they said, members of minority communities are three times more likely to drown than non-minority children.

Swim lessons are important to drowning prevention, but various socio-economic factors often create barriers to swim lesson access, they said.

“We’re honored to be a recipient of this grant and we’re excited to provide free swim lessons to kids who may not otherwise be able to access swim lessons,” said Kate Henninger, Senior Program Manager for Aquatics at the YMCA of Sequim.

For more information, email to kate@olympicpeninsulaymca.org.