Urban Journalism Workshop: Teaching minorities to swim is a YMCA mission

By Brittany Kingbird
Red Lake High School

The hot, humid days of summer are here, and the clear blue water of the neighborhood pool beckons. For kids of color, that cool refreshing dip might prove deadly. According to Aquatics International magazine, minorities are three times more likely to drown than whites. And Minnesota leads the nation in black drowning deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How do you combat those figures? "Teach people to swim," said Charlie Kirks, director of membership, fitness and aquatics at the North Community Branch YMCA in Minneapolis.

"What distinguishes the YMCA from other swim programs is our commitment to help children learn to swim, regardless of their economic situation," said Shannon Kinstler, aquatic product manager for the YMCA of Greater St. Paul and Metropolitan Minneapolis. "The YMCA welcomes all who wish to participate in swim lessons ... and annually raises money to make that possible," she said.

The North Community Branch YMCA on W. Broadway in the heart of north Minneapolis, is dedicated to making sure children in the neighborhood are safe around water. "It may take a couple of sessions [seven lessons per session], but kids do learn to swim," Kirks said.

Families of the 60 to 80 children participating in the YMCA's summer day program pay based on their means, from $10 to $100 a week. Kids who aren't part of the program can also take classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Full scholarships are available to homeless children. Students range in age from 3 years old to teens. Lessons are tailored to ability. There's also a program for children ages 3 months to 2 years, along with their parents.

"It's comforting for me because it ensures me they're OK," said Markeeta Keyes, watching her three children splash and play. Keyes' 8-year-old daughter, Niara, a member of the YMCA's swim team, was swimming laps. Sons Izehr, 5, who has cerebral palsy, and Keion, 3, were enjoying their lesson. Swimming is great therapy for Izehr, Keyes said.

"The first week they [the kids in his class] were apprehensive, but now I can't get them out of the water," said Aaron Hill, a swim instructor and lifeguard at the YMCA. That's OK with Hill. "Having the skill to survive is important," he said.

Historically, minorities have been unable to afford lessons or have not had access to pools.

Hair care and maintenance have kept black girls away from swimming lessons. Chemically relaxed hair often suffers damage from chlorine-treated water. But that concern is lessening as girls seek alternative hairstyles. "There have been a lot of girls coming in to get theirs braided to prevent the frizz effect due to swimming," said Geoffrey Owens, a hairstylist at BBK salon in Minneapolis. "Sometimes I tell them to use clarifying shampoos, moisturizers or swimming caps."

But what about adults who never learned to swim? Not to worry. The YMCA has classes for them, too.