Water Safety and Swim Equity: Insights from Dr. Sonya Walker on The Day with Trae
Photos by Cydney Stephens
Recently on The Day with Trae, host Trae Holiday sits with Dr. Sonya Walker, Senior Program Executive at YMCA of Greater Seattle. Walker came on the show to share information on water safety and swim equity.
“When we talk about water safety and swim equity, we really look at this from a public health lens,” Walker said. “So, it's more than just not knowing how to swim, being safe in the water, and having a good time. This is truly a crisis that we're facing.”
Walker emphasizes a few critical statistics that often go unnoticed. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one through four, a fact many people are unaware of. Additionally, 70% of African American children and 60% of Hispanic and Latino children lack formal swimming education and do not know how to swim.
Walker highlights that research shows children ages one to four who take formal swimming lessons can reduce their risk of drowning by up to 88%. She points out that these formal lessons are effective. To provide historical context, she notes that until the late 1800s, Black communities and other communities of color were proficient swimmers.
“So we think, you know, oh, well, Black people don’t swim,” Walker said. “Maybe we can float, or we don’t want to mess up our hair, and we have a lot of stereotypes around this, but we were actually quite proficient swimmers until Jim Crow laws came into place. Once segregation was implemented, we no longer had access to bodies of water and swimming pools. That’s where this stereotype of us not knowing how to swim started. It was really the access that was taken away.”
Walker explains that in the late 1940s and early 1950s, some public pools attempted to integrate, which led to violent race riots. Consequently, those pools ended up closing down. During this period, there was an increase in affluent neighborhoods building backyard pools and the emergence of private, whites-only swim clubs, further restricting access. After the Civil Rights Movement, some neighborhoods started to build pools, but these pools were often very small and shallow, only about three feet deep, making it impossible to learn to swim properly.
"So this concept, this idea that we throw babies in the water and they naturally float and know what to do, is really not true and is very dangerous,” Walker said. “We see a lot of children, particularly boys, who will jump in the water without fear. My own son, when he was little, had no fear either. We are not being as diligent as we need to be in teaching them those life-saving skills."
At the YMCA of Greater Seattle, they have been able to offer 1,000 youth free swim lessons thanks to the generosity of donors and community partners. One significant barrier to learning these skills is the cost of lessons. Fortunately, the strong community partnerships and numerous donors have enabled the YMCA to provide these valuable skills to youth.
The YMCA has a presence in many communities and has established a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation called Swim Seattle. Through this partnership, the YMCA offers free lessons to those who cannot otherwise access them. Seattle Parks and Recreation is also a part of Swim Seattle, a program committed to providing free access to water safety and swimming lessons for Black and Brown youth.
The YMCA offers lessons for all age groups, including adults. They have a structured program called Safety Around Water, which provides water safety tips and skills along with formal swim lessons. In addition to this, they always promote five key water safety rules.
And when I was young, my parents put me in a safety camp, and it was called safety city, and they used to say, think five to stay alive. Don't really remember what that was referring to, but I think of that to remember these five water safety tips that are so crucial, and so the first one is to teach children to ask permission, and that includes going into the bathtub as well as swimming pools and other bodies of water. So from a young age, it's vital that we teach our youth to ask permission to enter the water like you.
Walker emphasizes several crucial water safety tips based on her experiences and training. First, it's vital to teach children to ask for permission before entering any body of water, including bathtubs, swimming pools, and other water bodies. Walker is currently working with her nearly two-year-old niece to instill this habit. Second, neither youth nor adults who cannot swim should be in the water alone. Supervisors must remain vigilant, as it’s common for adults to be present but not fully attentive. Active observation is essential for ensuring safety. Third, holding one's breath for prolonged periods underwater should be avoided by both youth and adults, as it can lead to dangerous situations, such as fainting. Fourth, always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Many local beaches and lakes now offer free life jacket loaner programs, enhancing safety. Lastly, the “Reach, Throw, Don’t Go” principle is crucial. If someone is struggling in the water, it's important to anchor oneself and use an object like a belt or broom to reach them. Never jump into the water to rescue someone unless you are a licensed lifeguard, as this can be risky. Instead, throw a life vest or buoyant object for them to grab and swim to safety.
For more information, individuals can visit the YMCA of Greater Seattle's website at seattleymca.org. Those interested in supporting the program can also make a donation by reaching out through the same website at seattleymca.org.
For more on water safety and swim equity in Seattle, tune in with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
