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The New York Times columnist Jim Dwyer wrote that city schools have abandoned teaching swimming to young people, sometimes with dire consequences. He wrote:
"The school system, with some exceptions, has given up on swimming education; a few high schools require students to pass a swimming test or to take lessons, but, unlike proper use of condoms, it is not part of the curriculum required by the city. There are 50 pools inside the public schools, and 37 are in use. Students who are looking for summer employment will seek out lifeguard certification classes, though, in truth, they would be strong swimmers to begin with, probably least in need of the basic lessons that allow young people to be safe in the water."
Do you have memories of being taught swimming in the NYC public schools? Should the practice be revived? How would that work, given the busy school calendar? Is this the cure for childhood obesity? Share your memories, suggestions, opinions here.
Swimming just for enjoyment relaxes the soul, imagine what it would do for the kids who are emotionally hurting. They may project themselves as future athletes, service others as lifeguards or even join the Coastguard.We need to expand the opportunities for them it is our nation's mission.
I think swimming should be mandatory. We live in an area surrounded by water. Between the beaches, lakes and rivers near or around NYC, it is a defensive skill. I am always shocked when I ask the children I teach if they can swim. Not many have ever had the opportunity for swimming lessons.
Yes, a thousand times, Yes.
NYC has hundreds of miles of shoreline with: rip-tides, strong currents, and lovely beaches. Students need to both be able to enjoy the ocean waters and to understand their dangers. My HS (alum) is a few blocks from Astoria Park/Hellgate Crossing. It is where the East River meets the currents of Long Island Sound creating strong vortexs. No one should swim or even take a light-craft through those waters. But the unskilled do not understand the dangers. Unfortunately one of the long-term effects of Jim Crow is that many people of color can not swim, as their parents/grnadparents were blocked from pools and the children of today have little access to lessons. The stats for drowning are deplorable.
We can do better.
Yes, Gail! Many just never got the chance to learn to swim at organized programs or public pools. My parents grew up at Riis Park beach, far from their East Harlem homes. I & my siblings went to the pool at George Washington High School with our neighborhood summer program, Highbridge Pool was affordable, and I got lessons at the Washington Heights Y day camp. And yes, we had to swim the length of the pool at Brooklyn Tech to get our diplomas!
I cannot imagine my water skiing, snorkeling and Scuba diving around the world without this background.
Both of my sons were lucky enough to attend a school that was blocks away from an indoor public pool which offered school children in NYC lessons during the school day. They had both had lessons at the Y, which we paid for, but became more confident swimmers through their free, schoolday lessons at Metropolitan Pool. My students were lucky as well. Asphalt Green in Manhattan also offered schoolday swimming lessons to students. These lessons might save your life. The equal number of hours in endless test prep will not!
It's a skill everyone should know. Fewer drownings. More lifeguard applicants (every student I know who wanted to be a lifeguard could not swim!). Opens the door to getting more enjoyment out of life, & not just water sports. And to add a not-quite-silly comment: a few years ago a team on the "Greatest Race" lost because they could not swim.
Three-fourths of our world is covered by water. I rest my case.
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