Six Long Island Y Locations Participate in Record Setting Event
(Long Island, NY) Hundreds of youngsters across Long Island made a big splash this week — jumping in at six YMCA locations for 30 minutes of swimming and safety instruction taking part in “The World’s Largest Swim Lesson.”
The YMCA of Long Island hosted the simultaneous swimming lesson, in coordination with the nationwide “World’s Largest Swim Lesson,” to stress the life-saving importance of teaching children to swim at an early age and to provide water safety tips and techniques. YMCA facilities in Bay Shore, Glen Cove, Patchogue, Brookhaven, Huntington and East Hampton took part in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson which attracted an estimated 35,000 youngsters across the country.
The YMCA of Long Island, with over 60,000 members, annually provides more than 22,000 swim lessons and offers more youth swimming instruction than any other Long Island organization — with lessons from as early as 6 months. The YMCA of Long Island is also a leading provider of lifeguard certification training.
“We teach swimming and promote water safety each and every day at all our YMCA facilities, and with pool, boat and beach season upon us, now is the perfect time to make sure your children know important basic swimming skills and how to react to water emergencies,” said Anne Brigis, President and CEO of the YMCA of Long Island.
“Our participation in The World’s Largest Swim Lesson is yet another way for the Y to reach out to all Long Island children and families to stress water safety,” she said.
“This event also encourages children to swim, which is a fun and healthy summer activity for all,” added Maureen Kiernan, Aquatic Director at the Great South Bay YMCA facility in Bay Shore where 40-50 youngsters participated in the June 18 event.
Research shows that children who have had formal swim instruction before the age of 4 are less likely to be involved in a fatal water incident.
Facts and Figures:
- Approximately 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in the United States.
- Nearly 120,000 in-ground and above ground pools in homes on Long Island.
- Long Island has over 400 miles of shorefront.
- More than 100,000 boats registered in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
- The YMCA of Long Island provides more than 22,000 swimming lessons annually.
- Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children ages 1-14.
About the YMCA of Long Island
The YMCA of Long Island is a cause-driven, community-based nonprofit organization that works to foster Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. The YMCA of Long Island operates facilities in Glen Cove, Bay Shore, Patchogue, Huntington, Brookhaven, and East Hampton. It also has a number of Family Services counseling sites and operates 27 child care sites across Long Island. In total, the Y offers hundreds of programs and activities to improve the quality of life for more than 60,000 children, families and individuals year-round. Learn more at www.ymcali.org.
KICKING OFF SUMMER WITH SAFETY: Second grade students from St. Patrick School in Bay Shore are set to learn basic swimming techniques and help set a world’s record, taking part in The World’s Largest Swim Lesson at the Great South Bay YMCA in Bay Shore. The YMCA of Long Island provides more than 22,000 swimming lessons annually at its six facilities.
Additional Scenes from Great South Bay YMCA Participation in World’s Largest Swim Lesson, June 18, 2013 are available upon request to: msmith@epoch5.com
