This summer, Georgetown County Parks and Recreation is teaming up with the YMCA of Coastal Carolina to deliver life-saving swimming instruction to local youth — no matter where they live. Through the YMCA’s innovative “Safety Around Water” program, a mobile pool will travel to two rural areas of the county in June, offering free swimming lessons for youth ages 5-15. Registration is free and open through May 30 at gtcparks.org.
The mobile pool will be set up at the Andrews Regional Recreation Center from June 2-5 and June 9-12, then move to the Northwest Regional Recreation Center in Choppee from June 16-19 and June 23-26. Children ages 5 to 9 can register for morning sessions from 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-noon. Youth ages 10 to 15 will attend afternoon sessions from 1-2:30 p.m. or 2:30-4 p.m. Each participant will receive one week of lessons, free of charge.
The initiative is part of a larger regional effort by the YMCA to reduce drowning rates and teach essential water safety skills in underserved areas.
“Last year, 4,700 adults and children drowned in America,” said David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “Many of those lives were lost along the coast. Here in Georgetown County, we’re surrounded by water — the Black River, Winyah Bay, the ocean. One of the leading causes of accidental drowning in children is simply not knowing how to swim. We’re working to change that.”
Georgetown County Parks and Recreation is delighted to have the opportunity to help with that mission. The mobile pool is a flexible, fast-setup solution that can be constructed in about two hours and moved just as quickly. Byrd said the idea was inspired by a similar effort in Charleston County, and funding for the project was provided by the Parsons Foundation along with support from both Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. The program will move to Williamsburg after it wraps up in Georgetown.
The program is more than just swim lessons — it’s an immersive water safety experience. “We even have a rip tide machine to simulate real ocean conditions,” Byrd said. “It’s a very unique and effective process.”
Georgetown County Council, the school district, and local funders have all played key roles in bringing the program to life. Byrd emphasized that collaboration has been crucial to reaching children in areas where access to pools and swimming instruction are often limited. "We now have programs and services developed in partnership with many in the county to deliver this,” he said. “We’re very grateful to Georgetown County Parks and Recreation and the other partners who are helping make this possible.”