Strengthening Life Skills, One Stroke at a Time

Swimming is one of the most important life skills you can learn, but access to a pool and formal swim lessons can be limited for underserved youth.

Reflecting the San Diego County Office of Education's commitment to creating opportunities that change lives, 10 students from 37ECB and Southwest Prep community schools recently completed a series of swim lessons designed to build confidence in the water, strengthen swimming abilities, and teach essential water-safety skills through a partnership with local organization Paddle for Peace. 

For some students, the program provided an opportunity to learn how to swim, while others were able to refresh and improve skills they had learned earlier in childhood.

Johnny and Rey, both students at 37ECB, shared prior to the class that they had some experience swimming as children but joined the program to strengthen their skills. 

Once Rey hopped in the water, it was clear he still had the skills. Recognizing his potential, Paddle for Peace offered him a paid internship opportunity and will begin mentoring him to help prepare him to become a lifeguard. 

“I’m proud of myself,” Rey said. “I learned new ways to swim, and now I could possibly be hired as a lifeguard.”

When the students reflected on the class, several shared they were grateful for the experience, had fun, and felt more confident as a result of the class.  

As part of the program, students practiced different swim strokes, learned how to tread water, and developed underwater breath-control skills. These foundational skills can help students feel safer and more confident in the water while reducing the risk of drowning.

Risa Bell, chief executive officer and founder of Paddle for Peace, said the students were very engaged, listened well, and were supportive of one another during the class.

She said that many of the lessons students learn in swimming are also applicable to everyday life.

“In the pool, you take a breath before you go under water. In life, it’s important to take a breath before you react to something,” she said.

She added that taking the course helped build the students’ confidence and helped them to “see they can do hard things.”

The program was supported through a combination of Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) Career Technical Education (CTE) grant funding, and contributions from Paddle for Peace. 

“As JCCS’s first student swim program, this initial cohort represents an important step toward expanding access to swim instruction for more students across our schools,” said CTE Coordinator Maria Mujica. 

Students who are interested in continuing to build their aquatic skills may also have opportunities through Paddle for Peace to learn how to surf and play water polo.