Note: Swim with Annie recommends that if you are not swimming with Annie, you seek out the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Curriculum. This is a nationally recognized standard and should be what facilities offer, such as recreation departments.
See below for Swim with Annie's top picks for American Red Cross Swim Lessons.
1. A shout out to a gold standard in Vermont.
Hard'ack Pool, of the St. Albans Recreation Department, offers a nationally recognized standardized program by using the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Curriculum.
Their leadership in not only the build of this new facility, inclusive of it’s exciting ability to be covered/bubbled in the winter, but also in hitting every mark for best practices in instructor certifications, trainings and lesson offerings is amazing.
Shout out to:
St. Albans Recreation Director-Kelly Viens
St. Albans Aquatics Director-Isaac Bashaw
Hard'ack Pool Facebook Page
Hard'ack Pool, of the St. Albans Recreation Department, offers a nationally recognized standardized program by using the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Curriculum.
Their leadership in not only the build of this new facility, inclusive of it’s exciting ability to be covered/bubbled in the winter, but also in hitting every mark for best practices in instructor certifications, trainings and lesson offerings is amazing.
Shout out to:
St. Albans Recreation Director-Kelly Viens
St. Albans Aquatics Director-Isaac Bashaw
Hard'ack Pool Facebook Page
2. The Greater Burlington YMCA offers a nationally recognized standardized learn to swim program. The YMCA Swim Lesson Program is nationally recognized and was one of the first swim lesson providers in the country.
Greater Burlington YMCA Aquatics Director Jess Lukas not only runs an incredible aquatics department, she also lends expertise to the Winooski outdoor pool. Winooski Community Services Director Ray Coffey has great things to say about the strong relationship components between the two facilities. Thanks to both Jess Lukas and Ray Coffey for their advocacy for aquatic safety, systems and process, along with their strong collaborative work to create a safer environment.
Jess Lukas also joins Abby Beerman, MPH, Injury Prevention Coordinator, UVMMC Safe Kids Vermont Coordinator on the Water Safety Action committee (Vermont).
Safe Kids Vermont is a "coalition of individuals and organizations across the state of Vermont dedicated to keeping children and teens healthy and safe by preventing injury. With the assistance of passionate partners, Safe Kids VT formed the Water Safety Action Committee. They willingly took on the responsibility of investigating the current state of water safety and unintentional drowning prevention across the state of Vermont. Despite the barriers impeding their work, the committee members carried on and their efforts are visible in the 2022 Report of Water Safety in Vermont.
The Water Safety Action committee has the potential to be the coordinated effort and state-level leadership that is needed to have an impact on the rate of unintentional drowning deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits in Vermont. There are still many hurdles to overcome, but together, we strive to strategically address and support the needs of our communities."
Greater Burlington YMCA Aquatics Director Jess Lukas not only runs an incredible aquatics department, she also lends expertise to the Winooski outdoor pool. Winooski Community Services Director Ray Coffey has great things to say about the strong relationship components between the two facilities. Thanks to both Jess Lukas and Ray Coffey for their advocacy for aquatic safety, systems and process, along with their strong collaborative work to create a safer environment.
Jess Lukas also joins Abby Beerman, MPH, Injury Prevention Coordinator, UVMMC Safe Kids Vermont Coordinator on the Water Safety Action committee (Vermont).
Safe Kids Vermont is a "coalition of individuals and organizations across the state of Vermont dedicated to keeping children and teens healthy and safe by preventing injury. With the assistance of passionate partners, Safe Kids VT formed the Water Safety Action Committee. They willingly took on the responsibility of investigating the current state of water safety and unintentional drowning prevention across the state of Vermont. Despite the barriers impeding their work, the committee members carried on and their efforts are visible in the 2022 Report of Water Safety in Vermont.
The Water Safety Action committee has the potential to be the coordinated effort and state-level leadership that is needed to have an impact on the rate of unintentional drowning deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits in Vermont. There are still many hurdles to overcome, but together, we strive to strategically address and support the needs of our communities."