Watersafe 2021 is coming Saturday, June 5th, and will provide an educational yet fun day of water safety instruction. The event will take place at the Belle Terre Swim & Racquet Club, 73 Patricia Lane, Palm Coast. An event that typically takes place each year, was skipped in 2020 due to COVID-19. This year’s event will be socially distanced and masks will be required as a precaution.
“Water safety is so important because it only takes a couple of seconds for a child to drown,” said Interim Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Joe King. “We need to provide our children a safe environment and teach them how to float, first, and then how to swim.”
Florida leads the county in drowning deaths of children between the ages of 1 to 4 years old, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Parents can sign up for the opportunity for their children to participate in the Swim Scholarship Program at the event. Information is also available on the WaterSafe website www.watersafefl.org under the “Useful Resources” tab.
There will also be photo opportunities with a live mermaid, and KIX and Beach 92 will also be on-site during the event WaterSafe.
This event is free of charge and open to the public. Sponsors include Beaver Toyota, Cline Construction, Florida Swimming Pool Association, Houligan’s, Speedway Custom Photo Lab, and VyStar Credit Union.
Swim diapers are required for children who are not potty trained. Others should bring swimsuits and towels and prepare to get wet.
“This event is geared toward families with young children,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “Water safety is critical for children in Florida because of our weather, and because of the number of swimming pools and other natural water resources we have.”
