It's swimming season

By Nichole Livengood  

MAY 27, 2011 10:42 a.m. (0)

More than 200 children drown in pools or spas between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Drowning Prevention Foundation reported that 19 percent of them occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present.

Cory Satterfield has been in the water as long as she can remember, but while working as a lifeguard at Caine Halter Family YMCA, she realized that not all children have had the privilege to learn to swim.

“I took it for granted,” said the competitive swimmer.  The rising senior at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and a Leadership Greenville graduate, was inspired to use her love of swimming to help others.

This year she started the nonprofit Swim Greenville, a completely volunteer-driven organization that helps under-resourced children overcome their fear of swimming by first overcoming their fear of water.

A University of Memphis study commissioned by USA Swimming reported that close to 70 percent of African-American and 60 percent of Hispanic children don’t know how to swim, compared to 40 percent of white children.

Satterfield says by teaching children to overcome their fear of water, they gain confidence to overcome other obstacles in their lives as well.

Kids from the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club will be taking part in Swim Greenville this summer.

“Several of our kids can’t swim due to not having a community pool and being afraid of water. Learning how to swim could eventually save their lives,” says Mike Burdine, Boys and Girls Club executive director. South Carolina has one of the highest drowning rates, he said.

“Water is associated with fear because it is something unknown and can be very dangerous.  A lot of the fear comes from kids’ parents,” said Satterfield.

“Teaching kids to swim boosts their self- esteem, and as a result, they will try new things that will foster their growth,” said Burdine.

Swim Greenville is still looking for volunteers and has training sessions on June 1 and June 4. Anyone can sign up to help as long as they are at least a rising freshman in high school and have some swimming experience. The program runs from June 13 to Aug. 12 at the Caine Halter Family YMCA.

“I’m really trying to get more students in our area interested in volunteering,” said Satterfield. “Kids my age feel like they can’t make a difference, but the little things you do affect people’s lives so much.”