MESA, Ariz., May 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, in partnership with Leslie's Pool Supplies, the USA Swimming Foundation and Swimways kicked off their summer-long water safety initiative Saturday, May 18, International Learn to Swim Day, to help raise awareness about the importance of learning to swim. The event took place at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Central Phoenix, where two-time Olympic medalist, Jessica Hardy, joined students in the water for swim lessons.
"I was introduced to water when I fell in the pool at three years old during a birthday party," recalls Jessica. "I didn't know how to swim, and someone had to rescue me. My mom put me in swim lessons immediately after that, because drowning can happen in under 30 seconds, and it's silent. Now my life's goal as the mom of a one-year-old who swims is to get as many kids in the water as we can every day."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four, and the second-leading cause for children under 14. Furthermore, according to research conducted by the USA Swimming Foundation, 64% of African American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability.
"Swim lessons are one of the most effective ways to keep children safer in and around the water, and consistency in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children ages 1 to 4 years," says Ron Sciarro, Co-Founder of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. "As the world's largest swim school franchise, we're proud to partner with Leslie's Pool Supplies, the USA Swimming Foundation and Swimways to positively impact families within our communities through water safety education and teaching life-saving swimming skills."
It's important for caregivers to remember that water safety happens in layers, and each element of safety is important. "The purpose of this initiative is to heighten awareness during the busy swim season," says Tracy Dick, Vice President of Marketing and Advertising at Leslie's Pool Supplies. "We need to focus on the realities of drowning and what can be done to prevent it. Learning to swim, securing the pool area with appropriate barriers, maintaining healthy water and constant adult supervision all work in layers to keep children safer in and around the water."
As such, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools locations nationwide and Leslie's Pool Supplies will be working with Swimways and the the USA Swimming Foundation's Make a Splash initiative, a national child-focused water safety campaign, to provide water safety education to children and their families as well as the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim.
"The goal is to reduce drownings in this country, teach kids to swim and teach them to be safer around the water," says USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse. "We're so honored to partner with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, Swimways and Leslie's Pool Supplies to raise awareness and teach more children how to swim."
For families to learn more about how they can enroll their children in swim lessons, visit:
https://www.usaswimmingfoundation.org
About Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools serves 100 communities worldwide, offering dedicated, year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education to children of all abilities as early as 4 months old. As the world's largest swim school franchise, their hand-selected instructors are passionate about teaching children how to remain safer in and around the water, using tried-and-true curriculum, 28 years in the making and trusted worldwide to teach millions of swim lessons annually. To learn more, visit http://www.aqua-tots.com.
About Leslie's Poolmart, Inc.
Founded in 1963, Leslie's Poolmart, Inc. is the world's largest specialty retailer of swimming pool supplies and related products for both residential and commercial customers. Leslie's currently markets its products through over 900 store locations in 35 states, a nationwide mail-order catalog, and an Internet e-commerce site: http://www.lesliespool.com. The company employs approximately 4,500 associates across the country during the swimming pool season. Leslie's corporate headquarters is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Leslie's is proud to sponsor several organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, City of Hope, Big Brothers Big Sisters, local YMCAs and other local charities.
About the USA Swimming Foundation
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions— in the pool and in life. Whether we're equipping our children with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim through our Make a Splash initiative, or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country. To learn more, visit http://www.usaswimmingfoundation.org.
About Swimways Corporation
Swimways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spin Master (TSX: TOY; http://www.spinmaster.com), is a leisure and recreational water products manufacturer striving to make free time more fun through innovation. Swimways is rich in traditional values and is respected for the quality and integrity of its products and services. With distribution in over 20,000 storefronts, Swimways markets four unique brands: Swimways™, Kelsyus™, COOP™ and Aerobie™. The company's diverse staff is passionate about developing fun and engaging products for kids. Swimways is equally passionate about making sure kids are safe in and around the water and believes learning to swim is an important life skill. For more information about Swimways, visit http://www.Swimways.com.
In 2012, Swimways founded National Learn to Swim Day, held on the third Saturday of May each year, which is dedicated to educating parents and children about water safety and the importance and benefits of learning to swim. Swimways has been helping kids learn to swim for over 50 years - longer than anyone else (except parents, of course!).
SOURCE Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
