Summer and swimming go hand in hand. With summer being only a few days away, one of the best ways to beat the heat is having fun in the water. But before jumping in any water to cool off, knowing how to swim is the key to great fun.

Swim classes are underway at 100 Black Men of Jackson, located at 5360 Highland Drive, just south of Callaway High School.

“We had 303 participants last summer,” said instructor Betty Smithson. “The swim program will have four, 2-week sessions.”

They started June 3 and will continue through July 25. “There are six, 45-minute classes per day and classes meet Monday to Thursday,” added Smithson before entering the pool.

Kids file out to the pool and are eager to hit the water. Instructors Smithson, Meredith Cole and Matthew Mixon, Sunkist Swim Team head coach and owner of Live Slow Swim Fast LLC, greet each child by name and with a smile. 

Lessons begin. Instructors are teaching water safety, breath control, flotation and swim strokes to children with a wide range of abilities with patience and care.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States and the second leading cause of death by accidental injury for children 5 to 14.

“Our goal here is teaching kids to be safe in and around the water,” said Aquatics Director Barnett Taylor. “These lessons will enable these kids to have fun in the water and also to be safe. That’s the key.”

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