Hermiston Second Graders Dive into Fun, Safety with Free Swim Lessons at Aquatic Center

Nearly 400 second grade students from Hermiston’s six elementary schools are participating in free swim lessons at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center in May. Over three weeks, the students take a mid-day field trip to the pool and receive personalized guidance from swim instructors and physical education teachers based on their abilities and experience. 

Hermiston Parks & Recreation and the Hermiston School District have teamed since 2018 provide introductory swim lessons for all second grade students to kick off the outdoor swim season. The Hermiston Family Aquatic Center will open to the public on June 14. 

A pre-lesson questionnaire determines the skill level placement, and all students receive a two-hour swim lesson of self-rescue skills, drowning prevention, lifejacket fitting, and land-based activities to prepare for the water. Those with higher swimming skills will focus on strokes, endurance, and advanced self-rescue skills such as “float, flip, swim.” stroke lessons and breathing. 

Each student receives take-home information on water safety and a skill assessment from their instructor detailing each student’s ability and drowning risk.  

In 2024, evaluations from swim instructors showed that 68% of students were at a high risk of drowning and were unlikely to have the skills to self-rescue in water above their heads. Only 2% were considered low risk, likely to have the ability to self-rescue in cold, semi-choppy water. When the program began, 83% of students were deemed high risk and .007% were low risk. 

“We see these free lessons as an important part of the Hermiston Drowning Prevention Program because they introduce students to the fun of safe swimming while explaining the potential dangers,” said Brandon Artz, Hermiston Parks & Recreation Director. “We truly appreciate the school district’s partnership in these lessons as we make water safety a priority.” 

The Hermiston Drowning Prevention Program provides water safety and drowning risk information to the community. The program also provides Coast Guard-approved lifejackets to those in need to stay safe in our surrounding waters. These lifejackets are available for loan at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center where they also offer a pre-trip lifejacket safety check. Donations to the Hermiston Drowning Prevention program can be made at Hermiston Parks & Recreation or the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center. 

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children ages 5-14. 

The Hermiston Kiwanis Club provides goggles to each student and supports the mission to provide swim lessons to as many students as possible.