Funds to increase water safety in the Third District

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors (BOS) has allocated $60,000 in Community Improvement Designation (CID) Funds to increase water safety in the Third District. These funds will finance specialized training for swim instructors and increase the number of swim lesson scholarships for young children.

The training certifies instructors to teach young children drowning-prevention techniques. Children as young a six months-old learn how to rotate in an underwater position up into a back-float so that they can breathe and call for help until it arrives. This prepares them to survive in the water in the event they accidentally fall into the pool. While adult supervision is mandatory at all times whenever young children are in or near water, these lessons increase children’s safety and prepares them to be better swimmers as they get older.

Survival swim lessons for infants and toddlers are currently available in French Valley through SoCal Water Babies, as funded by First 5 Riverside County Children and Families Commission and under the leadership of Executive Director Tammi Graham. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under 4 years of age and preventing these avoidable tragedies is a priority of the Commission.  

”Having served on the Commission since 2015, I am a long-standing champion for these programs,” said Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington. “Infant self-rescue lessons not only teach children to be safe around water, but it equips them with the tools to save themselves.” 

SoCal Water Babies founder, Cathryn Van Der Linden, spoke about the opportunity potential new instructors have thanks to this funding.

“I love being a survival swim instructor because I get to empower children and enrich their lives with confidence and competence around the water. There is truly nothing more rewarding than having a parent tell me how much these lessons have improved their family's quality of life by enhancing their enjoyment of summertime fun around the pool. During my career, many parents have expressed an interest in becoming an instructor, but the training is cost prohibitive. This generous grant is an amazing opportunity for anyone who wants to own their own business while providing an invaluable service to the community,” Ms. Van Der Linden said.

SoCal Water Babies offers drowning prevention classes for children 6 months to 5 years-old from March through November. As additional instructors begin working in District 3, schedules and contact information will be promoted through Supervisor Washington’s Office as well as F5RC.

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