County School to Pool program serving to 100 South Maui keiki study to swim : Maui Now

After launching just lately in Central Maui, the County of Maui’s new School to Pool program is now making a splash in South Maui with Kīhei Elementary School college students.

One hundred second graders are studying to swim throughout School to Pool classes on the Kīhei Aquatic Center. Upon completion, college students will obtain County certificates for American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1 and a couple of.

“We are surrounded by water; it’s an important skill that kids need to have,” Kīhei Elementary instructor Hannah Parker stated. “When (students) first heard of this program – they have never had this kind of thing available to them – they all were jumping with joy.”

The pilot program, led by the County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Aquatics Section, presents eight swimming lessons for elementary college college students who can stroll from college to their space pool with the assistance of college workers.

Led by County DPR Pool Manager Duke Sevilla and Aquatics Recreation Technician and Special Olympics Swim Coach Sirena Lacour — with assist from lifeguards and workers — School to Pool teaches college students water security, floating, primary motion and stroke abilities, following American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim tips.

“Swim lessons are crucial for any child,” Lacour stated. “Not only does swim instruction reduce the risk of drowning and improve water-safety skills, but swimming is also a fun way to stay active and encourage healthy living from an early age.”

DPR’s School to Pool program launched in February with 25 Hawaiian Mission Academy Maui college students in Kahului.

Kīhei Elementary School started its program with swim evaluations on March 9 and 10. The program formally kicked off March 30, serving 100 college students throughout 5 lessons of 20 college students every.

“This is something that all of our community and all of schools should have because not all of the parents have the ability to teach their kids as well as just bringing their kids to the pool in the summer,” Kīhei Elementary instructor Ashley Farias stated. “I get that there are programs offered, but they are working, so they don’t have the chance to do that. This gives them the chance to learn to swim from professionals.”

One of the County instructors, lifeguard Kobe Lilio, has been instructing swim classes for years. Lilio grew up on Maui and swam for veteran coach Reid Yamamoto at Hawai‘i Swim Club.

“I have a lot of fun teaching the kids how to swim because swimming has been my passion for a very long time,” Lilio stated. “I feel like it is my responsibility as a past club swimmer to teach the next generation of kids how to swim, especially here in Hawai’i where we are surrounded by water 24/7.”

For normal info on County DPR, go to www.mauicounty.gov/parks.