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It’s summer! Which means hot temperatures, and for all the families to their nearest available pool for a day of fun in the water. With swimming comes the fear of your child’s safety as a parent or guardian. Along with safety, it can be a difficult situation trying to get your children involved in this activity.
Downtown talked to Asphalt Green’s Director of Aquatics, Craig Charlson, about safety tips and how to get your children involved with swimming.
As for getting your children started in swimming, it is crucial you start them young and keep swimming a family activity. Fear of the water is a common speed bump to a new stimuli; however, it can be abetted by empathy, patience, persistence, and consistent positive reinforcement.
Safety is always a concern, and Charlson gave Downtown his top tips for a safe swimming environment.
“The very first step to staying safe near the water is learning how to swim. No matter what your skill level is, adequate supervision, like designated lifeguards, are essential. Swimming pools are high-risk environments, and even the most skilled swimmers can find themselves in dangerous situations, which is why it is important to always bring a buddy or surround yourself with others. Never swim alone,” Charlston urged.
“On a more positive note, swimming, especially to children, is something they look forward to and thoroughly enjoy. Although it is a high-risk environment, it is important to note that swimming comes with unlimited amounts of benefits, especially health ones. While the ultimate health benefit of learning to swim is drowning prevention (drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages one through 14), additional benefits include motor skill development and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is a great exercise for all ages, from the youngest of swimmers to those still young at heart,” he explained.
Asphalt Green is a non-profit organization with two locations in Manhattan, the Upper East Side and Battery Park City. For all ages and skill levels, they provide a diverse selection of services throughout the year, but specifically, summertime is full of activities full of fun events, which has been a hit in the past years and ensures a safe environment.
Swimming is a huge part of Asphalt Green’s summer camps and throughout the year activities – click here for more information on these camps and here for the member pool schedule.
“We are a group of passionate, like-minded individuals whose goal is to educate and challenge children to swim smarter,” Charlson stated.
Don’t forget Asphalt Green’s free Sprinkler Day event on July 15th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, offering summer fun by cooling off and getting soaked for all ages (children and adults) at the Upper East Side campus! Let’s beat the heat.
Photos courtesy of Asphalt Green