On Learn to Swim Day, Local Nonprofit Highlights Urgent Need for Water Safety Education

As the nation observes Learn to Swim Day, families and advocates across the region are focusing on the critical importance of water safety and drowning prevention.

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in young children, especially in Florida. In response, the local nonprofit Big Dreams Through Small Steps is making waves with its AQUAlibrium Drowning Prevention Program — a free initiative designed to ensure children ages 3 to 5 receive lifesaving swim instruction.

Initial funding for the program was generously provided by Ritch Ventures and Step Into Swim, helping to launch this critical effort to increase access to swim lessons and safety education for local families.

AQUAlibrium partners with certified swim schools, such as Goldfish Swim School, to provide up to 10 free swim lessons per child, targeting vulnerable families and communities with limited access to water safety resources. The program also supports parental education, helping caregivers understand how to reduce water-related risks at home, at pools, and the beach.

Learn to Swim Day serves as a reminder that swimming is more than just a recreational skill — it’s a vital layer of protection. Whether it’s enrolling a child in lessons, donating to programs like AQUAlibrium, or sharing safety tips with friends and neighbors, everyone can play a role in preventing tragedy.

To learn more or support the AQUAlibrium Drowning Prevention Program, visit the Big Dreams Through Small Steps website.