MetroFamily Magazine March April 2021

with incredible results and technique- focused classes for serious swimmers, plus how to schedule a free W.A.T.E.R. Safety Presentation for your group or learn more about the free Water Guardian program, at goldfishswimschool.com . Get tips for helping your child acclimate to the water — from a small child who doesn’t like getting his head or face wet to a child who needs a quick swim skill refresher before a vacation or visit to a pool — at metrofamilymagazine.com/water-safety. Check out Goldfish At Home’s FREE swim- inspired exercise videos families can do from their living room at youtube.com/user/ swimgoldfish/playlists .

Your Water Guardian program is really innovative — how is it helping parents keep kids safe? The Water Guardian program ensures when kids are in the water they have a dedicated adult to monitor their safety without any other distractions, cell phones or talking to others. It can take as little as 10 seconds for a water crisis to occur. The program was launched by a mother whose son tragically drowned while the family was on vacation. She realized if it could happen to her, it could happen to anyone. Parents or grandparents can come to our facility, read and take the Water Guardian pledge and receive free Water Guardian lanyards. Whether you are swimming as a family or hosting a party, the adult in charge wears the lanyard and commits to watch children in the water without distractions. Think about it like serving as the lifeguard. You should switch grownups on duty every 30 minutes, with each staying on guard until their replacement is ready.

What new protocols have you put in place during the pandemic to keep families safe during swim lessons? We err on the side of caution, always. Ev- eryone gets their temperature taken before entering the building. Everyone over age 11 must wear a mask, and our instructors wear masks. In our viewing area, the chairs are socially distanced and we’re cleaning every- thing between lessons. We have closed every other changing room to provide distancing. In our pool, we’ve made our lanes for lessons wider so we can space kids out. In our little kid classes, where they are often seated on the side of the pool, we space the children out and have clear dividers between them. We sanitize the pool deck between each lesson block, our air filtration system provides fresh air exchange every 10 to 12 minutes and the com- bination of chlorine and 90 degree, 50 percent humidity environment enhances safety. Find out more about swim lessons for children of all abilities, from baby and parent classes and introductory lessons to one-week Jump Start Clinics to brush up on swim basics