Swim for Sadie: Harrisonburg launches youth swimming initiative

A program that goals to show youngsters in Harrisonburg how you can swim by the point they attain the second grade will probably be taking registrations later this month.

The program, Swim for Sadie, was created within the reminiscence of Sadie Deeble, an avid aggressive swimmer who died of sudden cardiac arrest in 2022 on the age of 13.

Sadie was an eighth-grade pupil at Stuart Hall in Staunton and a member of the Virginia Gators and the East Rockingham Barracudas swim groups.

Her father, Paul, launched a memorial fund to assist provoke Swim for Sadie, which is able to train elementary water security and primary swimming expertise.

“Sadie was an avid swimmer and loved spending time with her friends and teammates in the water,” stated Brian Mancini, the director of Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation. “Swim for Sadie is one way that her light can continue to shine, both in spreading joy to the community and teaching life-saving skills to local kids.”

Registration for the Swim for Sadie program will happen in-person at a Registration & Kick-Off Event on Friday, May 29, from 5-8 p.m. at Westover Pool.

This occasion, which is solely open to Harrisonburg City Public Schools college students in grades Ok-2 and their households, will characteristic swimming, music, Kona Ice, and each wholesome refreshments and goodie luggage from Augusta Health.

Registration will extremely prioritize households with second-graders, since this summer season is the one alternative that present second-graders will be capable of take part earlier than getting old out of this system.