"Swimming lessons are crucial for people of all ages—children, teens and adults—everyone deserves to know how to swim. Being able to move and survive in the water, like you would on land, is crucially important," Bailey Vandegrift, an aquatics director with YMCA of Greater Williamson County, said.
Child drowning deaths in Texas
Drowning-related deaths among children have decreased slightly over the past five years, according to data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. More than 360 children have died in drowning incidents statewide since the start of 2018.
Local impact
The five Texas counties with the most children drownings per year are Harris, Dallas, Denton, Galveston and Tarrant. Combined, Williamson, Travis and Hays counties have had 17 child drowning deaths since 2018.
- Williamson County: 6 (2 in 2022*)
- Travis County: 9 (0 in 2022*)
- Hays County: 2 (0 in 2022*)
* as of June 24
National Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 3,960 drowning deaths in the United States every year.
- 80% of drowning victims are male
- Children ages 1-4 years have the highest drowning rates
- Between 1999-2019, the rate of drowning deaths among children ages 0-17 declined 38%
Swimming safety tips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the following swimming safety information:
- Any depth of water can be dangerous
- Always place a barrier around water
- Drowning is often quiet and quick
- Swim in supervised areas
- Keep an eye on the weather and go inside if bad weather is approaching
- Always enter water feet first and do not dive into shallow water
Local swim schools
These businesses and organizations in Cedar Park and Leander offer swimming lessons.
Apex Swim Academy LLC
828 Palamos Drive, Leander
512-577-4905
www.apexswimacademy.com
Aqua-Tots Swim Lessons
1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. Y, Ste. 100, Cedar Park
512-518-6236
www.aqua-tots.com/cedar-park
Emler Swim School of Cedar Park
1310 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 590, Cedar Park
512-817-3400
www.emlerswimschool.com/location/cedar-park
Nitro Swimming
1310 Toro Grande Blvd., Cedar Park
512-259-7999
www.nitroswim.com/cedar-park-location
Twin Lakes Family YMCA
204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park
512-250-9622
www.ymcactx.org/locations/cedar-park
Waterloo Swimming - North
12332 N. RM 620, Bldg. C, Austin
512-401-3404
www.waterlooswimming.com
This list is not comprehensive.
