- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- ChildrenEducationalSafety
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Third Saturday of May
- Holiday emoji:
- 🏊
National Learn to Swim Day arrives every third Saturday of May, emphasizing the critical importance of water safety and teaching children to swim. This day is a vital reminder of the drowning crisis and the preventative measures we can all take. Enroll your child in swimming lessons, review water safety rules, and support organizations dedicated to preventing drownings.
Want to sponsor National Learn to Swim Day? Learn how
Expected National Learn to Swim Day Deals
As National Learn to Swim Day approaches, many organizations and brands pivot from commercial sales to vital awareness and educational initiatives. The American Red Cross often partners with local pools and community centers to offer discounted or free swim lessons and water safety courses. YMCA branches nationwide typically host open house events with free swim assessments and registration for their comprehensive swim programs. Brands like Speedo and TYR Sport may offer promotions on children’s swimwear and safety gear, often donating a portion of proceeds to water safety charities. Goldfish Swim School and other private swim academies frequently provide introductory lessons or special enrollment offers. Look for local sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods to feature deals on life vests, goggles, and other essential pool safety equipment. Water parks and public pools might host free safety clinics. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 16 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Learn to Swim Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #LearnToSwimDay. Share photos or short videos of swim lessons, water safety tips, or family fun at the pool.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #LearnToSwimDay. Post about local swim events, share water safety infographics, or organize a community discussion.
YouTube
Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create short instructional videos on basic swim strokes or essential water safety rules for kids and parents.
National Learn to Swim Day Hero
SwimWays Corp.
History of National Learn to Swim Day
Did you know that 50% of Americans do not know how to swim? Like learning how to ride a bike or basic cooking, swimming is also a life-saving skill — although it never gets its due. The consequences of undermining the relevance of learning how to swim can turn out to be disastrous. Think we are exaggerating? Well, drowning is the second biggest cause of accidental deaths in America.
There is absolutely no downside to learning how to swim. Whether it’s the summer dip in your nearby pool or rescuing a hapless being in the water — every child must have the opportunity to learn how to swim. Swimming is also a great exercise, and an hour-long swimming session makes up for an incredible athletic routine.
SwimWays Corp launched National Learn to Swim Day in 2012 to raise awareness about the vital importance of teaching children how to swim. In the following years, the event has grown tremendously and is now an important observation throughout the country. Brands come out with special discounts on swimming safety products, and swimming classes are promoted in communities. Through partnerships with corporations such as Target and Toys-R-Us, SwimWays Corp continues to propagate the importance of water safety amongst today’s generation.
National Learn to Swim Day raises awareness about the vitality of swimming lessons in young kids. As per the experts, the best time to learn how to swim is between the ages of six months to four years. Because, as we grow up, most people develop biases against large water bodies, which can make learning how to swim a near-impossible feat.
National Learn to Swim Day timeline
Public pools are opened to a majority of Americans, popularizing indoor swimming in the U.S.
Beloved American musician Buckley drowns, sending shock waves throughout the entire continent.
Swimways’ Corp launches National Learn to Swim Day to raise awareness about summertime water safety.
The Red Cross launches an anti-drowning campaign in 50 cities across America to teach basic water safety skills to Americans.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Learn to Swim Day
Local businesses can play a crucial role in promoting National Learn to Swim Day. Swim schools and community pools can offer free introductory lessons, host water safety workshops, or provide discounted registration for new students. Sporting goods stores can highlight sales on life vests, swim goggles, and other essential safety equipment, perhaps partnering with local charities for donation drives. Pediatricians’ offices can share water safety checklists and resources with families. Even restaurants might offer a special ‘Water Safety Kid’s Meal’ with educational placemats, donating a portion of proceeds to a local drowning prevention organization.
National Learn to Swim Day FAQs
When is National Learn to Swim Day?
In 2027, National Learn to Swim Day is observed on Saturday, May 15. This annual observance is a crucial reminder for parents to prioritize swim lessons and water safety education.
How many children drown each year in the U.S.?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning remains a significant public health concern, with over 3,500 accidental drownings each year. For children ages 1-4, drowning is the leading cause of death.
How many Americans cannot swim?
A substantial portion of the U.S. population, approximately 46%, reports not having basic swimming skills, according to the American Red Cross. This statistic underscores the ongoing need for widespread swim education.
What are the key water safety tips for children?
Essential water safety measures for children involve never leaving them unattended near water, teaching them to swim at an early age, ensuring proper barriers around pools, and knowing how to perform CPR in an emergency.
How to Observe National Learn to Swim Day
Take swimming lessons
Only half of America knows how to swim, which is an abysmal ratio considering the safe access to ponds, lakes, rivers, and public pools that almost everyone has. This National Learn to Swim Day, enroll yourself for swim lessons. If you already know how to swim, brush up your skills to prepare for an adventure-filled summer.
Enroll a loved one
Know someone in your life who wants to learn how to swim but can’t take the first step? Gift them a skill that will last a lifetime by enrolling them in a swim class. Trust us, every dip they take, they’ll remember your name.
Host a pool party
Get ahead of the summer schedule and host a pool party for your friends, family, and acquaintances. As the gathering assembles, give a lesson or two about water safety, pool behavior, and the importance of acquiring the skill of swimming. Whew! Sounds like an impactful party to me.
5 Important Facts About The Drowning Crisis
It’s a global epidemic
In 2019, over 236,000 drowning-related deaths were reported all around the world.
Males and children drownings
Children and adult men make up for the majority of drowning fatalities.
Keep your toddlers safe
The majority of drowning victims are children aged one to four years.
A pain for the poor
Nine out of 10 victims belong to low- and middle-income families with limited access to water safety resources.
It’s a huge economic loss
40% of drowning victims belong to the most economically active areas of the U.S., resulting in an annual loss of $273 million.
Why National Learn to Swim Day is Important
It reveals the crisis
More than 3,000 Americans lose their lives to drowning each year. It is an epidemic on its own that hardly gets the coverage it deserves. National Learn to Swim Day aims to reveal this crisis to the world and educate people about water safety measures.
It raises awareness
From taking precautions to administering first aid, the rules of water safety are finite but valuable. So before the summer swimming sessions kick in, we gather on the third Saturday of May to raise awareness about the importance of water safety in our community and beyond.
It saves lives
SwimWays believes in having fun — with precautions. The day is dedicated to illuminating how we can ensure public safety around water bodies. From life jackets, and float lines, to paddlers and compatible swimwear, there are tons of ways in which to secure our experience at the pool.
Social Media Tips for National Learn to Swim Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands