According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March, 27 Floridians have died due to drowning. That is up 133% from last year. When the lockdown began, swim lessons also stopped in the whole state of Florida. Coincidence? Probably not….
The good news is that many facilities, including the Y are starting back with swim lessons! Our group swim lessons started at the Pullum Y in mid-June and will resume downtown on July 6.We have changed the format for the month to offer more lessons, keep our swimmers safe and concentrate on the swimmers who really need lessons. Here are a few modifications:
- We are offering two-week lessons (every day Monday-Thursday) instead of the normal month format. This will allow less turnover of swimmers and instructors in our space. This also allows us to offer twice as many lessons in the month.
- We have limited the number of swimmers per class.
- We have limited the number of classes happening at one time. This will allow the classes in the pool to spread out.
- We are only offering levels classes in the month of July. We love our Swim Starters class, and it will return in August.
- We are cleaning all toys and equipment used between classes. Most of the equipment we use for swim lessons will be used only for swim lessons and will not be accessible to any other swimmers at this time.
- We are asking all swimmers and instructors that if they are sick or do not feel well, they should not come to class that day.
Registration is open now for lessons starting on July 6. Registration will open on July 4 for the lessons starting on July 20. August lessons will open for registration on July 18.
We hope that by starting swim lessons back, we can do our part to stop the increase in the drowning rate!