Category: News

The largest international swim school franchise shares three easy water safety steps every family should know ahead of summer

Mesa, Ariz.—April 22, 2024— With the warmer days of summer just around the corner, Aqua-Tots Swim School is ringing the bell on the need for water safety and drowning prevention. The largest international swim school franchise is dedicated to educating families worldwide with three essential steps to prevent drowning tragedies and ensure that children stay safe during May’s National Water Safety Month and beyond.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, drowning is the number one cause of death for children one to four years old and the second leading cause for children five to 14. Drowning is a tragedy that devastates far too many families each year, and Aqua-Tots CEO Craig Wright emphasized the need for the easy ABCs of Water Safety.

“What most families don’t realize is that drowning can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, in as little as 20 seconds in two inches of water,” said Wright. “Often other people are present but distracted during a drowning incident. The ABCs of Water Safety give families manageable steps that make water safety achievable, paving the way for a safer summer and a lifetime filled with peace of mind.”

Easy to remember, the ABCs of Water Safety stand for:

• Adult Supervision: It is vital that parents stay within an arm’s reach of non-swimmers. Additionally, they must remain focused on older swimmers and avoid distractions such as phones, reading materials and friends.
• Barriers: Backyard pools should have enclosed fencing with self-latching gates and locks. Additionally, families should put away pool toys when no longer in use to ensure that small children don’t reach for them and fall in. According to The Consumer Product Safety Commission, 69% of children younger than five were not expected to be at or in the pool at the time of a drowning incident.
• Classes: Children as young as four months old should be enrolled in a consistent, year-round swim program until they become safe and confident swimmers. In fact, participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children one to four years old, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Aqua-Tots Swim School has been the leader in swimming instruction for more than 30 years, offering year-round, indoor swim classes for children four months to 12 years old. The program offers the highly sought after Parent & Tot (four to 30 months old) program, small class sizes, convenient lesson times and flexible make-up lessons. Families are encouraged to enroll before classes fill up for summer at their nearest Aqua-Tots, located in over 150 communities in 14 countries.

Local Franchise Owner Arlette Belver Honored as Water Safety Ambassador

As parents, keeping our children safe is always our top priority. That’s why every May, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools across the country put a special focus on National Water Safety Month. This month is all about educating families on the importance of water safety, a message that is especially critical in states like Texas. With over 800,000 backyard pools, 7,000+ lakes, 191,000 miles of streams, 15 major river basins, eight coastal basins, more than 200 major reservoirs and over 350 miles of coastline, there are plenty of places for our little ones to explore–and potential dangers to be aware of.

One standout in this important mission is Aqua-Tots Swim School Franchise Owner Arlette Belver. Her dedication to water safety in the community has not gone unnoticed. Arlette worked tirelessly with local government leaders to have this crucial month officially recognized by both the city of San Antonio and the state of Texas. Thanks to her efforts, proclamations were issued by Mayor Ron Nirenberg and State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer. In a ceremony on May 23rd, Arlette was honored with these official documents and the role of water safety ambassador for the city. She received special recognition from local leaders Lorena Monroe of Bonita Productions and John Hartsfield of the Icon to Ican Foundation.

“In 2024 alone, Texas has already seen 15 drowning deaths, with two occurring in Bexar County,” Arlette shared at the ceremony. “Many of these tragic incidents can be prevented through greater awareness of water safety. It’s especially important for children, who are most at risk. Participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%. Our schools offer comprehensive swim programs for all ages and abilities, focusing on the critical skills needed to stay safe in and around water.”

During the ceremony, Arlette thanked her team, friends, husband Matthew, three children and God for all they do on a daily basis to support her and their shared mission to save lives. Her next step will be to open a new Aqua-Tots Swim School location in Oviedo, Florida this summer. This will be a big milestone for both Arlette and the company, as it will be her first school in the state and the company’s first of many planned for the Orlando area.

Craig Wright, CEO of Aqua-Tots Swim School, honored Arlette’s achievements by saying, “Arlette truly embodies our dedication to water safety and our core values. She treats our swim families like her own and has played a significant role in our growth over the last decade. We are incredibly grateful for the passion of owners like Arlette, who are committed to propelling life throughout their communities and around the world.”

Arlette dove into the industry after witnessing the near-drowning of her youngest daughter in 2010, when their canoe overturned in the Guadalupe River. Fortunately, Arlette was able to rescue her, but she was traumatized and would not go near the water for over a year. In 2011, an Aqua-Tots opened near their home and Arlette enrolled her daughter right away. In spite of her apprehension, the instructors remained unphased and showed patience, kindness and love. Quickly, Arlette’s daughter learned to enjoy the water again.

“Were it not for this franchise and the care shown by their instructors nearly fifteen years ago, my daughter’s anxiety might remain, and we never would have committed to the mission of improving water safety among children and families,” Arlette said. She opened her first swim school in northwest San Antonio in 2013 and now owns four schools in the area, helping thousands of children learn how to put “safety first and fun every second!”

The actions of dedicated individuals like Arlette remind us of the crucial importance of swim lessons and the value of inspiring communities to prioritize the well-being of their children around water. With the support of passionate leaders, committed families and comprehensive swim programs, Aqua-Tots is making significant strides in ensuring that every child can become a safe and confident swimmer for life.

Phoenix-based international swim school franchise reinforces commitment to saving children’s lives at the kickoff of summer

Phoenix, Arizona, June 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the second year in a row, Aqua-Tots Swim School is partnering with Phoenix Children’s to save lives by supporting healthcare and water safety education. The international swim school’s $25,000 donation will go directly to the Water Safety division of the Injury Prevention program at Phoenix Children’s, continuing the commitment to the health and safety of our communities’ kids.

Aqua-Tots Swim School, headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, is recognized for teaching children worldwide to swim safely and confidently. The partnership with Phoenix Children’s allows Aqua-Tots to extend its reach, benefiting a broader community and enhancing the impact of its efforts to prevent childhood drowning.

“Phoenix Children’s does honorable and heroic work, and we’re proud to be partnering with them for a second year,” said Ron Sciarro, Co-Founder of Aqua-Tots Swim School. “Every day, they impact lives here at home and all over the world, and if we are able to do a small part to save even one life, it’s worth it.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Phoenix Children’s reports that for each child who dies from drowning, five others require emergency treatment for nonfatal, water-related injuries, which can result in long-term disabilities and severe brain damage.

This donation will help further Phoenix Children’s mission to provide outstanding, comprehensive care to patients across all communities, ages and specialty conditions through cutting-edge research and medical education programs.

“We’re thankful for Aqua-Tots Swim School’s generous support again this year,” said Tim Harrison, Vice President of Corporate Development and Special Events at Phoenix Children’s. “Their donation helps us provide exceptional care to our young patients and supports our ongoing commitment to protect the health and safety of children in our community.”

Additionally, Aqua-Tots is extending a 20% discount on swim lessons to Phoenix Children’s employees across the valley. This initiative demonstrates the company’s dedication to fostering water safety in Arizona.

“Aqua-Tots has a long history of supporting first responder families and their selfless work deserves to be recognized,” noted Heather Preston, Co-Founder and Chief Experience and Philanthropy Officer at Aqua-Tots Swim School. “Our franchisees throughout the valley are grateful for their dedication and are eager to support their efforts in keeping more children safe.”

Together, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Aqua-Tots Swim School are committed to increasing water safety education in The Grand Canyon State. Their shared goal is to create a safer environment for children and families, ensuring every child has the chance to develop necessary swimming skills.

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