JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Cabana Club Apartments will partner with the University of North Florida's Aquatic Center staff this weekend when they offer water safety classes.
The water safety classes will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the apartment complex pool. Cabana Club is located at 8680 Baymeadows Road East.
Organizers said the event is being put on because the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the most fatal time-frame for children to drown that are under the age of 15. Last year, 14 children died from accidental drownings in Florida, according to a news release from the organizers.
Cabana Club Manager Kim Holt said, "On average, more than 200 children drown in pools or spas in the summer months, so we think this is a very timely event. It also introduces parents and their children to swim lessons, which really should be a prerequisite for any child living in Florida."
If you would like to participate in the event, you are asked to call the Cabana Club at 904-374-2700. You may also email them at mgr@cabanaclub.com. Spaces are limited for the class and children must be between ages 4 and 12.
Heather Kite, assistant director of recreation for UNF Aquatics said, "We'll conduct six, 30-minute classes in small groups in the Cabana Club Poll. Parents need to bring their children dressed ready to swim, along with a towel and some sunscreen."
In addition to the swim class offered Saturday, UNF also offers swim lessons for various ages throughout the year. They offer swim lessons for children as young as 8 months all the way up to adult. There will be information available at the child water safety class telling people how they can register for the additional classes which begin in September.
First Coast News