One Eleuthera Foundation and CTI host Second Annual Learn-to-Swim Community Program

Jul 20, 2022 | Centre for Training and Innovation

The One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) in partnership with The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) has launched its second Annual “Learn to Swim” program. With over 70 keen participants, it promises to be both a critical learning experience and a splashing success.

Free Swimming Classes in Rock Sound, Eleuthera

Started on June 20, 2022, the 6-week program housed at the CTI campus in Rock Sound is free of charge and has enrolled residents ranging in age from 5 to 60 years, with the goal of provisioning them with life-saving swimming and water safety skills. Classes take place weekly from Monday to Thursday and are structured by age. Children’s classes begin at 9 am and finish at 12 noon followed by the adult and family sessions from 6 pm to 7 pm. The program is headed by an experienced team of new and returning local instructors, including Allison Dean, Kevia Knowles, Ariel Aranha, and Jaden Carey.

OEF Collaborates with US-Based Swimming Programs

This year the program also welcomed US-based volunteers, Alissa Magrum (Colin’s Hope), Ella Magrum-Stanley, Kim Shults (Swim With Kim), Peri Kowal, and Emily Mayer. The group assisted with volunteer training and expanding the curriculum’s “Dry Land” water safety component. Targeted at children and parents, these poolside lessons revolve around drowning prevention and water safety education. Delivered in fun and interactive ways the lessons reinforce the fundamentals to a younger audience through engaging demonstrations, upbeat games, and exciting team exercises.

Thanks to the partnership with “Colin’s Hope” and “Swim With Kim”, the program was gifted with supplies and equipment for participants including, life vests, swim caps, goggles, caps, t-shirts, sunblock, and swimming safety games and activity sheets.

“OEF’s Learn-to-Swim program is just one of the ways we’re utilizing our campus to meet a critical need and strengthen our community,” says Keyron Smith, CTI’s COO. “It also comes not a moment too soon because despite the Bahamas being surrounded by water and regularly impacted by high-intensity hurricanes and sea surges, more than three-quarters of the population cannot swim and are unaware of water safety protocols.”

Water Safety and Drowning Awareness in Eleuthera

An exciting first for the program occurred on June 23 when the students and team made waves by participating in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™. This annual event raises awareness worldwide surrounding drowning and drowning prevention. Team WLSL currently holds the Guinness world record for the single largest simultaneous swimming lesson. The record-achieving event was successfully held in 2014 with over 20 participating countries and 36,564 swimmers.

Drowning incidents are largely preventable and still, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), are the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Basic water safety and swimming lessons such as those offered through OEF’s Learn-to-Swim program can save precious lives every year, and help children and adults safely enjoy our beautiful beaches and natural aquatic resources.

“Water safety education is paramount to keeping children safe around sources of water. Drowning is silent and can happen in as little as 30 seconds. It can happen on beaches, in coastal waters, blue holes, and pools, but just as readily in bathtubs, open wells, and even household buckets,” explains Yolanda Pawar, Chief Communications Officer at OEF. “Increasing access to water survival skills and drowning prevention education within our community is an ongoing goal for us.”

Get Involved

OEF’s Learn to Swim sessions will wrap up on July 28, 2022, but organizers are already starting the preliminary planning for next year’s program and the exciting new developments in the pipeline. To find out how you can support this program, volunteer or donate resources, email: info@oneeleuthera.org.