[macguy]

This does not really count because the story is about a 1 years old. But it brings to mind if you are moving to Florida with children they need to be able to swim. There are so many pools and canals rock pits it is a real danger. There is a story like this in the paper almost every week. It just takes a minute for it to happen.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...a_tab01_layout

[FL_TN_Nana]

And to add a note about swimming: Don't go swimming in a lake AT NIGHT in Florida.

I remember doing this when I first came to FL when I was about 19-20 y/o. I shudder now to think about what may have been out there with me! Of course the lakes were cleaner and really nice in the 60's & 70's, but people still need to know you're not alone out there! That probably goes for the ocean too.

[Strel]

Having grown up in the South, it is almost inconceivable that someone raised in the US would not know how to swim.

Are there parts of the country where people don't learn how to swim as a matter of course? That seems awfully strange to me.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Strel

Having grown up in the South, it is almost inconceivable that someone raised in the US would not know how to swim.

Are there parts of the country where people don't learn how to swim as a matter of course? That seems awfully strange to me.

Talk to any swimming instructor. They teach adults to swim all the time. Many people think they can swim and actually can't. They may stay afloat for a short time in a backyard pool thinking they are swimmers but if they really needed to make a swim to save their lives can't do it. People drown all the time in rip currents because they can't swim well enough to get themselves out of trouble. I want to see a kid, even a young kid, swimming multiple lengths of a pool with ease. I will tell you something interesting, and this is not meant in any negative way. Many, many black adults can't swim. You discover this in the military, whites also but an awful lot of blacks.

I also think many non swimmers would not admit it so you would never know. I am sure you know a few. I have a friend from NY who lives down here on a boat 6 months out of the year who can't swim, not a stroke. I could not believe it when his girl friend told me. She said, "Please don't ever tell him I told you". Which of course I did and tried to talk him into learning. He never has.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by macguy

This does not really count because the story is about a 1 years old. But it brings to mind if you are moving to Florida with children they need to be able to swim. There are so many pools and canals rock pits it is a real danger. There is a story like this in the paper almost every week. It just takes a minute for it to happen.

1-year-old pulled from Jupiter Farms pool dies -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

I have noticed there are no lifeguards here at the beach in Naples? Why? Don't you think there should be?

[macguy]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

I have noticed there are no lifeguards here at the beach in Naples? Why? Don't you think there should be?

Not at all? What do they have, signs swim at your own risk?

[Prichard]

That's the first thing we teach our kids down here - SWIM! Some parents start while their kids are still infants. Most, however, get them started with swim lessons at about age 2-3. Stick with it for about 2-3 years, and your kid will be a little fish.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by macguy

Not at all? What do they have, signs swim at your own risk?

I haven't noticed any signs. I know in NYC and LI, when no lifeguard was on duty, they would post a very big sign, "No Lifeguard". "Swim at your own risk". Is it because it is off season? I definitely think there should be SOMETHING.

Anyway, I can barely swim myself, but I made sure my daughters learned growing up on LI. The town gave swim lessons at the local pool and beach for nominal rates for both children and adults. If I remember correctly, everyone had to be tested and then were assigned to a particular program -- Beginner through Advanced.

Yes, it is a essential for children to know.

[Strel]

Originally Posted by macguy

Talk to any swimming instructor. They teach adults to swim all the time. Many people think they can swim and actually can't. They may stay afloat for a short time in a backyard pool thinking they are swimmers but if they really needed to make a swim to save their lives can't do it. People drown all the time in rip currents because they can't swim well enough to get themselves out of trouble. I want to see a kid, even a young kid, swimming multiple lengths of a pool with ease. I will tell you something interesting, and this is not meant in any negative way. Many, many black adults can't swim. You discover this in the military, whites also but an awful lot of blacks.

I have heard this, and frankly I was too chicken to bring it up. It is just very odd to me having grown up in an environment where it was taken for granted that everyone could swim with some level of proficiency.

I also think many non swimmers would not admit it so you would never know. I am sure you know a few. I have a friend from NY who lives down here on a boat 6 months out of the year who can't swim, not a stroke. I could not believe it when his girl friend told me. She said, "Please don't ever tell him I told you". Which of course I did and tried to talk him into learning. He never has.

Guy owns a boat and doesn't know how to swim? That sounds like a recipe for disaster...

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Strel

I have heard this, and frankly I was too chicken to bring it up. It is just very odd to me having grown up in an environment where it was taken for granted that everyone could swim with some level of proficiency.



Guy owns a boat and doesn't know how to swim? That sounds like a recipe for disaster...

He lives on the boat and takes it out sailing, can you imagine.