HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — To remind the community to be water smart from the start, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is teaming up with the Tampa Bay Rays to offer free Safety Around Water lessons to children from March 12-15 to coincide with Hillsborough County Public Schools spring break.
This free Safety Around Water program is offered annually in the spring to help kids stay safe at the beach, pool, lake and while boating. It’s open to the entire community, beginners and non-swimmers, ages 3-12 years old.
During the free 4-day course, certified instructors teach children a sequenced set of skills that will reduce the risk of drowning and give them confidence in and around water.
A YMCA membership is NOT required; however, pre-registration is required due to limited space. Participants must be present on the first day of class and bring their own swimsuit and towel.
Classes take place Monday, March 12 - Thursday, March 15. Times vary based on YMCA location.
For more information, click here or contact the following participating Ys to pre-register:
Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA
110 East Palm Ave.
Tampa, FL 33602
813.229.9622
East Pasco Family YMCA
37301 Chapel Hill Loop
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
813.780.9622
Bob Sierra YMCA Youth & Family Center
4015 Ragg Rd.
Tampa, FL 33624
813.962.3220
Campo Family YMCA
3414 Culbreath Rd.
Valrico, FL 33596
813.684.1371
North Brandon Family YMCA
3097 S. Kingsway Rd.
Seffner, FL 33584
813.685.5402
Northwest Hills. Family YMCA
8950 W. Waters Ave.
Tampa, FL 33615
813.249.8510
Plant City Family YMCA
1507 YMCA Pl.
Plant City, FL 33563
813.757.6677
South Tampa Family YMCA
4411 S. Himes Ave.
Tampa, FL 33611
813.839.0210
The free water safety programs will also take place during Spring Break at the YMCA of the Suncoast locations. Please contact your local YMCA to register.
The program will take place March 12-15, at YMCA locations in Hernando.
Hernando YMCA
1300 Mariner Boulevard
Spring Hill, FL 34609
(352) 688-9622
The James P. Gills Family YMCA in Pasco County will hold their water safety lessons March 19-22.
8411 Photonics Drive
New Port Richey, FL 34655
(727) 375-9622
YMCA of the Suncoast locations in Pinellas and Citrus counties will hold their lessons March 26-29.
Learn more here.
This program is open to all in the community and a YMCA membership is not required; however, pre-registration is required due to limited space. Times vary based on location.
FREE SWIM CLASSES FOR BABIES:
Water Smart Tots, Inc. is a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to eliminating pediatric drowning in Hillsborough County by promoting awareness through (1) water safety education and by (2) providing access to survival swimming skills to infants and young children ages 12 months to 6 years who are financially underprivileged, or who have special needs.
Water Babies | Seal Swim School
Water Babies classes are designed to offer a fun and relaxed aquatic experience for parent and infant. The Water Babies class boosts development of the whole child and early year round lessons accelerate development; physically, intellectually, and emotionally. This non-submerging class is for infants 0-5 months. The Water Babies class is free! However, new families pay $55.00 "New Family Registration Fee."
Lutz: (813) 229-7946 (SWIM)
South Tampa: (813) 879-7946 (SWIM)
Wesley Chapel: (813) 991-7946 (SWIM)
