DESIGN NEWS CURRENT DESIGN NEWS
GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL REMINDS FAMILIES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF YEAR-ROUND WATER SAFETY By Sherry Moeller With three locations in Northern Virginia, Goldfish Swim
Goldfish Swim Schools how to swim has been fun and
School, stresses the importance of learning how to swim
rewarding. “Everyone needs to know how to swim.”
no matter what time of year, but especially in the summer.
To prevent drowning, the number one safety tip is to never
months, but now that things are opening up in phases,
leave a child unattended around any body of water.
Goldfish Swim School is welcoming their students back
“It’s critical to be aware of the risks of drowning at home in
to their three locations, with all facility safety precautions
just inches of water, and also the risks at the beach,” says
in place, including a UV sanitation system. By working in
Gina Bewersdorf, M.D., who, along with her husband Ryan
properly chlorinated water, a swim school environment may
Bewersdorf, own Goldfish Swim Schools in Alexandria, Falls
be safer from COVID-19 than other businesses where critical
Church and Reston, Virginia. Although May is the official
work surfaces and equipment do not have the advantage
National Water Safety Month, Goldfish Swim School says
of being in constant contact with a disinfecting substance
that every month is Water Safety Month.
like chlorine. “Safety comes first for our team, families and
guests,” Bewerdorf says.
Goldfish Swim School advocates for perpetual year-
The pandemic put swimming lessons on hold for some
round swim lessons, allowing students to advance at their
own rate. All students start with a beginner class and are
Goldfish Swim School, visit www.goldfishswimschool.com or
evaluated each week before advancing to the next level. The
call 703.348.3261.
swim school offers classes starting at age four months, with options for parent participation in classes ages four months to two years old. For classes for ages three and older, there is a max of four students per class with one instructor. The goal is to teach children to float on their backs at an early age; that’s the beginning of learning a lifesaving skill. Teaching children how to go under water and not panic is also essential.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), there are about 10 drownings per day and about 3,500 per year. In addition, drowning is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of one and four years old. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics released revised drowning prevention guidelines that suggest enrolling children in dedicated swim lessons by the age of one year old. “This is an effective layer for drowning prevention,” Bewersdorf says. “This has the potential to save lives.”
“I learned how to swim as an adult,” says Bewersdorf,
so teaching her own children as well as those at the three
26
JOHN ERIC HOME
For more information about water safety skills and
