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YMCA Water Safety Week shares knowledge and fun with local children

Over 200 participate in free event
YMCA swim volunteer Jim McIntyre, center, shares the skills needed to be safe and enjoy the water with Carter Brangiel, 9, and Banessa Lopez-Gonzalez, 8. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
April 6, 2018
Volunteer Gabriella Robertson, left, assists Luke Riley, 4, with the skill of saving a life with a flotation device.
Emma Marcus, 8, tosses a flotation device under the watchful eye of volunteer Benjamin Rothstein.
Swimming instructors Lena Bird, center, and Tracey Condon-Kneifl begin with an orientation to participants from the Boys & Girls Club of Rehoboth.
Swimmer Michael Smith, 7, gets recovery position floating instruction from volunteer Georgia Spade.
Joel Mendez, 7, dives safely into the arms of volunteer Gabriella Robertson.
Rubi Ortiz, 5, learns recovery position floating with volunteer Marcella Rios.
Participants from the Boys & Girls club get instruction from volunteer George Heavey.
YMCA volunteer Jake Spade instructs the finer points of diving to Alyssa Peyton, center, and Britt Thompson.
Tanaj Phillips from the Boys & Girls Club has a big smile for volunteer Jim McIntyre.
Charlie Lowndes, 3 1/2, helps rescue a swimmer with a pool noodle with assistance from volunteer Gabriella Robertson.
Sa’Kyah Harmon, 5, gets instruction from YMCA swimming instructor Tracey Condon-Kneifl.
Alyssa Peyton enters the pool under the watchful eye of YMCA volunteer Jake Spade.
Javen Savage, right, receives recovery position instruction from YMCA volunteer Ella Bird.
Participants Ava Spence, left, and Brooklyn Miller get instruction on recovery position floating with Maryann Rash and CJ Currence.
Participants Paola, left, and Sandi Chillel, Yesli Mendez, and Adayani Perez show their happy faces with YMCA volunteer Jake Spade.
YMCA Water Safety Week teaches water acclimation and water exploration as well as lifesaving skills.
Dylan Sherman, 3, gets kicking instruction from YMCA volunteer Maryann Rash.
Grayson Toomey, right, dives into the pool to volunteer Patti Allen.
Volunteer Diana Bird, center, assists in a fun swimming activity with Sa’Kyah Harmon, left, and Brydon Emel-Firestone.

The Sussex Family YMCA held its 13th annual Water Safety Week April 2-6, when over 200 children of all ages and from all backgrounds learned that water should be fun, not feared, as long as they know how to stay safe in and around water. They learned the important skills needed to have fun and stay safe while enjoying swimming activities.

“During Water Safety Week, participants learned what to do if they find themselves in water unexpectedly,” said YMCA Aquatic Director Anna Seiffert. “Children learn fundamental water safety skills which can open up a world of possibilities for them to satisfy their curiosity safely around any body of water.”

The program is run a little differently this year, according to Seiffert: “In the past, we have provided five straight days of Water Safety Week. This year, families had the option to come two or three days during the week of April 2 and then choose an additional two or three weeks where they come in during specified times when additional lessons are available.” 

The Y is America’s Swim Instructor, and the most accessible resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.

For more information about YMCA Water Safety Week or other Y activities, call 302-510-1270 or visit www.ymcade.org/sussex.

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