EVERETT — The YMCA hopes to bring free swim lessons to kids living in apartments along Casino Road this summer.
Instructors will teach classes in the pools onsite at the complexes.
The idea came after a 9-year-old boy drowned in a pool at the Arterra apartments in June. The boy, Ariel Jasso-Aranda, lived in one of the units. It was the first day the pool had opened, said Carl Funnell, aquatics director at the Mukilteo branch of the YMCA. Ariel was one of the first to jump in.
Someone later saw him at the bottom of the pool. The bystander didn’t know how to swim and went to find someone who could rescue him, Funnell said.
The fourth-grader died in the hospital five days later.
In August, the YMCA held eight free classes for kids at Arterra. About 24 signed up. Most of them lived there, but a few came from other areas around Casino Road. Funnell hopes to bring the classes back this summer and to invite more complexes to participate. The only requirement is that they have a pool that can accommodate group classes. In the Casino Road area, six meet that criteria.
Crystal Springs Apartments has opted in. Funnell is waiting to hear from others.
Children from age 3 to young teens are invited to register. Lessons are geared toward new swimmers, but it doesn’t have to be their first lesson.
“The intent is to get younger kids help so if they fall into a pool, they could get out,” Funnell said.
Instructors plan to teach kids swimming and water safety basics. Kids will learn to fall into the pool, swim 10 feet away from the edge and get themselves to safety. About 88 percent of kids drown while under supervision, and 60 percent of drownings happen within 10 feet of safety, Funnell said.
Classes also will be a time for games and enjoying the summer weather.
The YMCA plans to set up a registration table in apartment complexes that agree to host swim lessons. Parents can sign up their children a couple of weeks before classes are scheduled to begin.
Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.
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