Dive In Anytime: Embrace the Journey of Learning to Swim at Siesta Sand!

By Jane Bartnett

Water safety is a critical issue for both kids and their guardians. The Florida Department of Health indicates that Florida holds the highest rate in the nation for unintentional fatalities among children aged one to four. Teens who cannot swim are equally at risk. As stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants as young as 12 months can start acquiring skills that may safeguard their lives. Education in water safety and survival techniques can be imparted to children from the age of one, and by four, the Academy claims most children are prepared to commence swimming classes.

Ira Klein, an experienced swim instructor and coach in the Siesta Key area, along with his spouse Cindy, directs the SRQ Tsunami Swim Team and the Sarasota Tsunami Swim Academy at the Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, managed by the City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation District. Klein emphasizes the importance for parents to guarantee that their children learn to swim. “Children who master swimming acquire skills that they will utilize throughout their lives.”

He recommends that parents “seek out a program that is more than just a backyard pool. Don’t put it off. Kids must learn to swim with their faces submerged and to navigate through the water. Babies can even engage in enjoyable water activities using bathtub games.”  To help children overcome their fear of water, Cindy Klein authored a children’s picture book, available on Amazon, titled “Sue Nami’s Swimming Journey-Teaching Water Awareness and Swimming Fundamentals Outside of the Water.”

Klein notes that in the Siesta Key and Gulf Gate area, numerous beginning swim programs are accessible for both kids and adults. These courses also offer advanced sessions that cover stroke techniques and competitive training.

Among the most significant providers of swimming lessons for children in our region are the mentioned SRQ Tsunami Swim Team, the Sarasota Sharks program at the Selby Aquatic Center in Potter Park, and the Palmer Ranch YMCA in Potter Park, both located on Potter Park Drive near Tamiami Trail South.

While swimming lessons for children can be costly, a new law in Florida that went into effect this past summer established the state’s first swimming lesson voucher initiative. Families with children aged four and under whose income is “less than 200% of the federal poverty level” can benefit from free swimming lessons for their young ones.  For instance, a family of four earning $60,000 or less would qualify.

In September, the Florida Department of Health initiated a network of swimming lesson providers participating in the new voucher program.  Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez announced the program’s launch, stating that “swimming lessons can enhance safety and reduce drowning incidents. Lessons can start for any child as early as one year old. Studies indicate that swimming lessons can decrease the risk of drowning by as much as 88%. By equipping children with essential life-saving skills such as floating, treading water, and executing safe exits from water, they will be better prepared for unexpected falls into water.”

The program’s website, watersmartFL.com, offers details on where swim lesson voucher programs can be found, how to apply for vouchers, and how to become a swim lesson provider. Families who qualify can request swim lesson vouchers through the website. Programs interested in participating can also access applications on the site.

Beyond the safety advantages tied to swimming education, Klein mentions that swimming is an exceptional developmental activity for children, enhancing endurance and physical wellness. “We reside in a region surrounded by water. Knowing how to swim can be lifesaving,” he expressed. “In addition to being a skill that lasts a lifetime, the ability to swim and feel comfortable in the water is also enjoyable!”

For additional information regarding public and private swim programs in our area, please consult the following websites:

•       The Palmer Ranch YMCA in Potter Park. Offering youth and adult swim lessons at 8301 Potter Park Drive, Sarasota. 

•       The Sarasota Tsunami Swim Academy collaborates with Swim America, located at 2650 Waldemere Street, Sarasota. Their programs are crafted by the American Swim Coaches Association.

•       The non-profit Sarasota Sharks, Inc. swim school is located at the Shelby Aquatic Center at 8501 Potter Park Drive, Sarasota.