On the morning of June 24th a ring of children surrounded the LaPorte County YMCA pool. They sat on the edge, kicking the cool water with their feet. Not all of them knew they were about to make history but even the babies could sense the excitement in the air.
For the seventh year in a row the YMCA broke its own record for the World’s Largest Swim Lesson. Locations all over the world collaborated so that they could have the lesson at the same time.
The annual event began in 2010 as part of the Y’s “Be Water Smart from the Start” safety awareness campaign.
“For Michigan City,” said YMCA CEO Cindy Berchem, “Being a lakefront community, it’s imperative that everyone know how to swim. So they can be safe while they enjoy the water.”
Drowning is the leading cause of unintended, injury related death in children ages 1 to 4. Swimming lessons lower their risk by 88%.
Bonnie Piotrowski, a summer camp staff member at Safe Harbor, brought a troupe of kids with her to the Y. “It makes the water safe,” she explained. “Since we live so close to the lake, it is always a good lesson.”
After the record breaking lesson, a ceremony was held to dedicate the pool to two women who have made teaching swim safety a priority in their lives. Jackie Babcock teaches the Mommy and Me swim lessons. LaVora Tucker gave swim lessons and lifeguard certifications at the LaPorte County YMCA, Rogers High School, and at other pools as far as the YWCA in Boston.
Her daughter, Kerstin Severin, said Tucker was, “Very overwhelmed. She feels a lot of appreciation not only to the people who [voted for her] but for the 20,000 swimmers that she’s had over the years. She’s used the YMCA throughout the course of her life. She knows it’s a great place for the kids to learn to swim.”
Art students at Michigan City High School painted a mural to commemorate the women and the pool that has changed so many lives in our community. We look forward to another year of saving lives and changing stats.
