Sebastopol Rotary Teaches 300+ Kids to Swim for Free

Since 1984, the Sebastopol Rotary Club has been on a mission to teach every child in west Sonoma County how to swim, and they've nearly succeeded.

Starting April 20, over 300 second graders from ten local schools will dive into Ives Pool for free swimming lessons. The month-long program runs through May 14, teaching basic swim skills and water safety to seven-year-olds who might otherwise never learn.

The numbers tell an incredible story. By the end of this year's program, 13,000 children will have learned to swim through this community effort. According to water safety experts, that math suggests the program has likely saved 130 lives over four decades.

Co-chairs Rick Wilson and Greg Jacobs say Sebastopol is the only city in the nation that teaches every kid to swim for free. Wilson, who ran a white-water rafting business for 20 years, knows the stakes are high in a county surrounded by rivers, pools, and ocean.

The program aims for one instructor for every three students, which means they need 100 volunteers each year. Here's the best part: you don't need to be a competitive swimmer or certified instructor to help.

Virginia Anderegg has volunteered for over a decade and loves watching the transformation. "They learn SO MUCH in four weeks. It is so apparent that we are making a difference," she said. "Plus, second graders are really fun and smart."

Jacobs, who grew up learning to swim at the same pool, remembers his own close call as a kid. A current swept him away from shore at the Russian River, and the entire beach rushed to save him. He never forgot that lesson about respecting the water.

The Ripple Effect

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four nationwide. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that swim lessons can reduce drownings in young children by over 80 percent.

Ten people drown every day in the United States, and most are children. In Sebastopol, an entire generation of kids now grows up confident and safe around water.

The program also brings in a park ranger-lifeguard each year to demonstrate cold-water rescue gear and teach ocean and river safety. The kids leave with skills that build self-esteem along with safety knowledge.

Volunteers can pick up forms at Ives Pool, participating schools, or by contacting Jacobs at 823-7341 or Wilson at 824-0846. No experience necessary, just a couple hours a week and a desire to keep children safe.

One small community is proving that teaching every child to swim isn't just possible, it's worth celebrating.