Long Branch Schools Offering Free Swimming Lessons to Registered Students

Even though the school year is over, the Long Branch Public School District is still teaching students some new lessons.

Registered three and four-year-old preschool students can receive free swimming lessons starting this week (June 20-June 24) at the Amerigo A. Anastasia School pool on Seventh Avenue in Long Branch.

The first week of lesson is for the four-year-old students and the second week (June 27- July 1) is for the three-year-old students.

Classes start at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m., and each lesson is 30 minutes.

 “It’s very important that children when exposed to water for the first time have highly qualified and certified instructors," Long Branch Superintendent of Schools Michael Salvatore said.

Instructors will first have children blow bubbles in the water to make sure that they are doing so with their lungs and not just filling their cheeks with air. This basic drill is one of the most important lifesaving techniques for new swimmers.

Once children become become more comfortable, instructors teach them to keep their eyes open under water. Eventually, toys are placed beneath the surface so the children can look for them.

Finally, the children will learn to float. With hands-on assistance, students are slowly dipped into the water and held, which teaches them the importance of staying relaxed and calm in the water.