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According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drownings are on the rise. The World Health Organization calls it “a highly preventable public health challenge.” As a way to highlight the tragic and profound effect drowning has on families and communities, the United Nations declared July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day.

POOLCORP, the world’s leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, is granting $155,100 to the YMCA of South Hampton Roads to provide free swimming lessons to kids and free lifeguard training. POOLCORP presented a check as part of its Swimpact initiative to the YMCA of South Hampton Roads CEO Anthony Walters on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Greenbrier Family YMCA in Chesapeake, Va. 

“The importance of such programs cannot be overstated,” noted a news release from the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. “Drowning is recognized by the CDC as a leading cause of death for children, and water safety programs can reduce the likelihood of drowning by more than 80 percent.”

The POOLCORP grant will provide free swimming lessons to more than 1500 children and fund the certification and training of 100 new Y lifeguards throughout southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Since 2021, POOLCORP has provided more than $4 million to YMCAs across the nation, teaching more than 42 thousand children how to swim and training over three thousand lifeguards, stated the release.

Joy Thomen, vice president of aquatics experience, emphasized the crucial nature of this initiative. “Water safety is a year-round priority,” said Thomen. “POOLCORP’s ongoing commitment to the Y through the Swimpact program is instrumental in expanding access to vital water safety education. Together, we are creating a safer environment for our children.”

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