SafeSplash partners with Down Syndrome Awareness Group to provide free lessons
With that in mind, SafeSplash, 120 N. Peters Road, Cedar Bluff, offered its first community give-back session during January by holding free classes for a group of young children and toddlers from the Down Syndrome Awareness Group to introduce them to the water and encourage water safety.
“I [was] proud to offer this opportunity to the DSAG families for the month of January [getting] to know and work with this great group of kids, and be able to give back in this special way,” Tarwater said. “It has always been a big priority for us to serve as many communities as possible in the Knoxville area.
“We felt like by having a dedicated class to serve the Down Syndrome community, not only could we offer access to a life-saving skill, but we could also foster new relationships among the families who choose to take part in the class.”
Ivy Edwards, 2, daughter of Bryce and Amanda Edwards, was one of the children who attended a free class. Amanda said she learned about the class in a Down Syndrome Awareness Group monthly e-mail.
“When we saw it there, it was specifically for kids with Down Syndrome who were between the ages of 6 months and 24 months or 30 months,” the mother said. “Ivy fell into the perfect age range. We had talked about doing some lessons in the future, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
“It’s very important to us that eventually she learns how to swim so if there were some kind of accident, and she stumbled into a pool, that she learns how to get herself out or that she gets herself into a position that she could breathe,” Amanda said.
The Jan. 19 class was only Ivy’s second lesson.
“This is just introduction to the water, feeling more comfortable for her because it’s something new for every kid,” Bryce said. “We just want her to be as safe as possible in water situations.”
Concerning having classes at SafeSplash, “it’s great,” Amanda said. “I didn’t even know a place like this existed … they have a smaller pool with individualized classes so kids can learn at their own pace.”
“Everyone at SafeSplash is amazing,” Bryce added. “They are all very friendly; they are all very kind. They are patient with all the kids. We’ve been thrilled at how it’s gone so far.”
Another 2-year-old, Luke Wagner, son of Eddie and Katie Wagner, also took the class.
“We thought it would be a good opportunity for him to get to continue developing his social skills and also to help him develop some fine motor skills as well,” Eddie Wagner said. “We spend a lot of time around the pool, as well, in the summertime, especially around the lake.
“We own a little pontoon boat we like to go out on, so getting him familiar and comfortable with being in the water is just a step forward in helping him continue to develop as much as he can.”
“Children with Down Syndrome are very curious and, most times, unaware of the dangers around them,” said Angie Holbert, executive director for Down Syndrome Awareness Group (DSAG). “Swimming lessons are a great way for children with Down Syndrome to work on muscle tone, learn water safety and have fun with their parent or caretaker and friends in the water with them.
“Water safety is not limited to the summertime,” she added. “We encourage repetition and starting early for all children.”
Drowning is the leading cause of death for infants and children – and that statistic steeply increases for children with Down Syndrome, according to Holbert.
SafeSplash provides swimming classes for all ages and abilities, from beginners to competitive swimmers. According to its website, safesplash.com, it also offers private and semi-private lessons, swim camps, swim team preparation and other programs.
SafeSplash Swim School specializes in swim lessons for children 6 months old to adults.
Classes are from 3 to 7 p.m., Mondays; 9 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays; from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursdays; from 9 to 11 a.m., Fridays; from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays; and closed Sundays. For more information, call 865-263-1800.
Tarwater said SafeSplash’s curriculum is tailored to children of all abilities, but it also welcomes adults who want to learn to swim for the first time.
“SafeSplash also offers certified CPR classes to the public,” he said.
