News Summary

In Flatbush, Brooklyn, community leaders are advocating for affordable swim lessons following a series of tragic drownings. Families like Elizabeth Leacock’s are struggling to find accessible swim classes, highlighting the urgent need for water safety education in the area. With no public pool in Flatbush and lack of affordable options, organizations are stepping up to fill the gap. Local leaders aim to ensure that safety measures are put in place to prevent further tragedies and promote essential swimming skills for children.

Flatbush Community Leaders Advocate for Affordable Swim Lessons After Local Tragedies

In the vibrant neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn, local community leaders are stepping up their efforts to make affordable swim lessons available to families after a series of heartbreaking drowning incidents. The push for safety comes after the tragic drowning of 16-year-old Elyjha Chandler, along with the sobering statistic that seven drownings occurred at New York City beaches last summer, marking the highest toll since 2019.

The Need for Swim Lessons

For many, the need for swimming lessons hits home on a personal level. Elizabeth Leacock’s six-year-old son, Xaire, narrowly escaped a near-drowning incident that left her deeply concerned about safety in the water. This experience ignited her search for swim lessons, but unfortunately, finding affordable options in Flatbush is no easy feat. Many families in the area struggle to find classes that don’t break the bank, as swimming lessons can be prohibitively expensive. While rates soar as high as $3,500 for summer classes, many families prioritize essential needs such as food over swim instruction.

A Community Lacking Resources

One of the striking challenges faced by residents is that City Council District 40, which includes Flatbush, is without a public pool, despite the fact that Brooklyn is home to 23 of them. Although Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged $12 million for a floating pool in the East River and the Adams administration announced a $1 billion initiative for new and renovated public pools, concrete solutions are still on the horizon. The first public pool in Flatbush is expected to open in fall 2024, but the community is eager for immediate fixes.

Swimming Skills and Safety

Sadly, many New Yorkers lack basic swimming skills. It’s been noted that drownings are on the rise, and the availability of swim instruction has decreased significantly since the 1970s, with lessons even being removed from public school curricula. Recently, a bill mandating swim classes for second graders was passed but tragically cut from the budget. However, there is hope, as an additional $5.5 million was announced for swimming programs in March 2025, aiming to reach about 18,000 students.

Schools with Untapped Resources

Interestingly, many public schools in the city have pools but fail to offer swim classes. Erasmus High School is among them and is set to be part of a new program named after Elyjha Chandler and Christian Perkins, which aims to provide essential swim instruction for students. The catch, however, remains that most public pools are only open during the summer months, leaving families without year-round access to lessons. Only 12 indoor pools are available after Labor Day, and with ticket entry being through a lottery system for the city’s “Learn to Swim” program, many face long waitlists or miss the opportunity completely.

A Call to Action

Community members have expressed their frustration at the difficulties in finding affordable long-term swim options. Local organizations such as Inclusive Community Wellness offer free or low-cost swimming classes, offering a ray of hope for families like Leacock’s and resident Jeanel Moril’s. The financial burden of swimming lessons can be overwhelming, particularly for families of color who are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to swimming skills.

Advocating for Water Safety

The local landscape is evolving, with organizations like Rising Tide Effect and Swim Strong Foundation working diligently to tackle systemic issues surrounding water safety and swim instruction access. They are advocating for more funding and mandated swim lessons in schools, highlighting the need for a cultural shift regarding water safety. As climate change presents new challenges, prioritizing water safety could save lives.

Looking Ahead

In a significant move to honor those who lost their lives in drowning incidents, city officials are considering launching a program called “Elyjha Chandler and Christian Perkins Swim for Life,” designed to provide free swim lessons. By focusing on ensuring access to these essential lessons, Flatbush leaders believe that community safety can be improved and that more tragedies can be avoided in the future.

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