Rotarians Saving Lives through Water Safety Program

For over 20 years, the Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor has presented a water-safety swim course to area third-grade students the last week of the school year. Susan Lunsford, Rotary Project Chair, eight Rotary Club members, and a teaching team of 20 community volunteers (including members of the South Coast Community Aquatics Group), come together, with every day and detail planned out to teach 140 third-graders to learn and enjoy the water.
The five days of classes began with testing and grouping students according to their water skills. Some students were not comfortable in the water at the start, but by the end of the first session, and with the help of the volunteers, many were blowing bubbles, smiling, and floating face-up in the water. On the second day, students learned pool rules, and splashed and squealed in excitement as they practiced bobbing and floating on their backs, then kicking, and making wide arm strokes across the water. And, for some, even jumping into the pool. Lunsford commented, “Some students were terrified of the water on their first day, and they are already floating – unassisted! That is huge!”
Day three highlighted safety lessons; students learned water jugs, towels, pool noodles and coolers can all be used to save a struggling swimmer. Day four included everything from learning river and water safety rules to individual and group lifesaving techniques and life-jacket safety tips. The final day, was Fun Day, and students floated on their backs, played and jumped from pool sides and the diving board-with life jackets on, instructors and volunteers always nearby.
“Being a member of the Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor gives us many opportunities to positively impact our community – and this is definitely one of those experiences,” stated Lunsford. “Seeing the students bloom and become comfortable in the water is a joy to see! The timing of this training is perfect as students head out for summer fun and boating at the river, ocean beach and lakes. Rotary friends and members, community volunteers, pool staff, and school staff have all contributed to another successful program.”
The Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor would like to thank the Friends of Rotary, South Coast Community Aquatics Group, and the Brookings Harbor School District for their assistance in supporting this life-saving program. If you would like to contribute funds to the Rotary Water-Safety project, please send a check to Rotary, P. O. Box 357, Brookings, Oregon, and specify the funds should go towards the water safety project. Every donation, however small, will help children abandon their fears of the water.
For questions, please contact Susan Lunsford – 541.661.2067, (slunsford137@gmail.com)