National Learn to Swim Day Reminds Families to Make Water Safety a Summer Priority

As Memorial Day weekend approaches and families begin planning trips to pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches, National Learn to Swim Day offers an important reminder: swimming is more than a fun summer activity. It is a life skill.

Observed each year on the third Saturday in May, National Learn to Swim Day is dedicated to helping parents, children, and adults understand the importance of water safety before the busy summer season begins. The timing is intentional. As temperatures rise, more families head outdoors and spend time near water, making safety education especially important.

Swimming is enjoyed by people of all ages year-round, but summer often offers more opportunities to be in and around water. Backyard pools, community pools, rivers, lakes, and vacation spots can offer joy, exercise, and family memories. They can also bring serious risks when swimmers are not prepared.

Learning to swim helps build confidence, strength, and safety awareness. For children, swim lessons can teach basic skills such as floating, kicking, breathing, safe pool entry, and how to call for help. For teens and adults, lessons can improve technique, reduce fear, and help them feel more secure in the water. For infants and very young children, age-appropriate water introduction can help them become more comfortable while parents learn important safety habits.

Water safety begins long before someone jumps in. Families are encouraged to talk about rules near water, stay within arm’s reach of young children, use life jackets when boating or swimming in natural water, and avoid distractions when supervising swimmers. Even strong swimmers need to be careful, especially in lakes and rivers where currents, depth changes, and hidden hazards can make conditions unpredictable.

National Learn to Swim Day also highlights a message that applies to every age group: it is never too early or too late to learn. Some adults never had the chance to take lessons as children. Others may feel nervous around water or want to improve their skills so they can safely enjoy time with family. Swim instruction can help people of all backgrounds feel more prepared.

Local lessons are available for adults, youth, teens, and infants through partner pools. Families interested in learning more, including information about financial assistance, may visit https://2for2foundation.org or call/text 540-481-4861. Help is available for those who want to learn to swim but may need support getting started.

As summer begins, National Learn to Swim Day is a timely invitation for families to make water safety part of their plans. A swim lesson can do more than teach strokes. It can build confidence, encourage healthy activity, and help protect lives.

Here are the pools that have partnered with the 2 for 2 Foundation:

• Winchester Valley Health Wellness Center
• Sentara Wellness Center in Harrisonburg
• Strasburg Public Pool
• Clark County Public Pool
• Warren County Public Pool