Commentary: Why Community Learn-to-Swim is an Essential Part of Summer in NYC

In a city like New York—with a $100 billion budget this fiscal year—one might expect that making learn-to-swim programs for its residents is a priority, especially in the summer, when dozens of outdoor pools are opened.

For eight decades it was. Free learn-to-swim were a staple of the schedule at 53 Parks Department pools that open their doors in July and August. Millions of New Yorkers have enjoyed these public pools, leaving many of them with fond memories of learning to swim thanks to city-supplied instructors.

Then, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, upsetting a delicate balance that fueled the city’s lifeguarding ranks. During the academic year, high schoolers were trained and certified in hopes of ascending to the lifeguard chair by the summer. This process, with certification classes sprinkled through public and private indoor pools, was enough to replenish the hundreds of annual lifeguard posts throughout the city’s pools and beaches.

With many NYC aquatics facilities closed for almost a year due to Covid-19 concerns, that pipeline of ambitious high schoolers training to get lucrative—for teenagers—lifeguarding jobs was disrupted. That, and an array of more lucrative teen employment opportunities available due to low unemployment rates, has resulted in an acute shortage of guards and aquatics professionals, including swim instructors.

As a result, beaches have restricted access, public pools are similarly mothballed, and—most disturbing—accidental drownings due to lack of swim experience—are apparently on the rise.

[Too Many New Yorkers Can’t Swim. It’s Time to Change That.]

It didn’t help that the city seems woefully unprepared for this shortage, one that has been apparent to anyone staffing the private YMCA and university pools that dot the city’s landscape. It’s likely an exaggeration but one might say that a lifeguard has become more in demand in New York City than a plumber.

Not that Governor Kathy Hochul or Mayor Eric Adams, both of whom were slow to react to the lifeguard shortage, have a solution to this pressing need. Last week Hochul announced that the state will raise city lifeguard pay to $22 an hour with a $1,000 retention bonus if they work through the summer. Unfortunately, this will not mitigate an obvious problem—as the threat of Covid-19 receded and city pools gradually reopen, the shortage of lifeguards means that there’s no free swim program this year for thousands of deserving New York City kids.

The folks with Inclusive Community Wellness (ICW)— a Brooklyn-based non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals from under-served communities to improve their health, well-being and productivity—have a plan. In conjunction with our partner, Long Island University, we will hold high-quality learn-to-swim classes for children ages 4 – 12 over the next five weeks. With two 45-minute sessions meeting three times a week for two weeks in July and two more in August, we will get 100+ kids in the water at LIU’s downtown Brooklyn pool—and provide the drown-proof instruction needed during a summer swim season.

And perhaps inspire them to a lifelong love of aquatics. That was the story of 57th Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, who described how swim lessons at the Red Hook Pool got her safely in the water—which is why she is a sponsor of the Brooklyn Swims! Program. Other local politicians have stepped up, including Lincoln Restler, District 33 Council Member and Crystal Hudson, District 35 Council Member. That and a number of key community supporters has resulted in an outpouring of interest for this program—one which gets its start today.

There are distinct challenges. With little public swimming available for the past two years, learn-to-swim applicants are older and may have greater resistance to going underwater. And the pandemic is not over; despite studies that demonstrate that chlorinated water prevents the spread of Covid-19, aquatic staff are ill-equipped to handle another spike of the virus.

But it’s summertime in the city—and, as the memorable Lovin’ Spoonful song “Summer in the City” opens— “Hot town, summer in the city. Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty”

A PERFECT time for swimming, and something all of us should ensure is safe, healthy, fun and available.

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Brooklyn Swims! Community Learn-to-Swim Program

We’re providing low or no cost instruction for ages 4-12 in optimally arranged swim classes for all ages. Expert swim instructors and certified lifeguards will ensure that participants of all levels have a happy + healthy experience in the LIU Downtown Brooklyn pool.

Dates: Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays in July and August
Schedule: Two 45-minute sessions at 4pm and 5pm
Location: LIU Pool, 161 Ashland Place, Brooklyn, NY
To Register: 917-605-5624 / waterpolobrooklyn@gmail.com

Open to all; payment is optional; Donations are welcome!

Sponsored by: Inclusive Community Wellness (ICW); Long Island University (LIU); Magnus Mukuro Sports Foundation; Phara Souffrant Forrest — 57th District Assembly Member Lincoln Restler – District 33 Council Member; Crystal Hudson – District 35 Council Member

[Note: Man with a Hat is part of ICW, which is sponsoring Brooklyn Swims!]