Program Will Help Children Ages 0-12 Develop Lifelong Water Safety Skills and Address Drowning Disparities
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (September 10, 2026) – The New York State Department of Health today joined the New Rochelle YMCA to announce the expansion of free learn-to-swim lessons for children ages 0-12 through Governor Kathy Hochul's NY SWIMS initiative, helping more New York families access critical water safety education and lifesaving skills.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim and develop lifesaving water safety skills," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "By expanding free swimming lessons, NY SWIMS is helping break down barriers and address disparities that put some children, particularly children of color, at greater risk of drowning."
The program is a partnership between the New York State Department of Health, the New York State YMCA Foundation Inc. and the State University of New York (SUNY). The expansion builds on Governor Hochul's NY SWIMS initiative, launched in 2024 to increase access to swimming opportunities, strengthen water safety and invest in communities across New York State.
The State Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget included a $5 million allocation to the Department of Health to support free learn-to-swim lessons for children ages 0-4. The State Fiscal Year 2027 Enacted Budget expanded eligibility to include children ages 0-12, allowing more families statewide to benefit from this critical water safety program.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in the United States and remains a leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 14. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning disparities vary by race, with Black children experiencing higher drowning death rates than White children. The disparities are particularly pronounced among Black children ages 5-9, who drown at rates 2.6 times higher than White children of the same age. Black children ages 10-14 also experience higher drowning rates, including a pool drowning rate 7.6 times higher than that of White children ages 10-14. The CDC also reports that Black children and youth are more likely to drown in public pools, while White children and youth are more likely to drown in residential pools.
Access to swimming instruction is an important part of addressing these disparities. Barriers, such as the cost and availability of swimming lessons, limited access to pools and other community resources, can prevent children from developing basic swimming and water safety skills. By providing free lessons, NY SWIMS is helping ensure that more children can learn skills that can protect them in and around the water.
Since its launch, NY SWIMS has invested nearly $260 million in 79 projects across every region of New York State, representing the largest investment in public swimming infrastructure since the New Deal. As a result of NY SWIMS investments, an estimated 2.5 million New Yorkers will benefit from enhanced access to safe swimming and healthy recreational opportunities.
The initiative represents New York State's continued commitment to expanding swimming opportunities, investing in community resources and ensuring every child has access to safe and affordable aquatic education.
The New York State Department of Health encourages parents and caregivers to make water safety a priority by enrolling children in age-appropriate swimming lessons, providing constant supervision around water and learning basic lifesaving skills.
Drowning Prevention and Water Safety for Children and Teens can be found here.
More Information About YMCA NY Swims Lessons can be found here.
CEO of the New Rochelle YMCA Jennifer Ryan Safsel said, "We want to thank Governor Hochul for her investment in NY SWIMS that will give our YMCA the resources to invest in improvements to our pool, as well as funding to provide free swim lessons to children in our community. Learning to swim is a necessary life-saving skill and a vital step forward in the prevention of children drowning."
Executive Director of the Alliance of New York State YMCAs Kyle Stewart said, "Learning to swim is more than a recreational activity—it is a lifesaving skill. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Health through the NY SWIMS initiative, YMCAs across New York State will be able to provide free swim lessons to thousands of children and families. No child should be denied the opportunity to learn this essential skill because of cost, and this investment will help make our communities safer and stronger for years to come."
Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said, "Expanding access to free and low-cost swim lessons is a critical investment in our children's safety. Learning to swim can literally save a child's life. However, parents and guardians are the first line of defense. Never assume that someone else is watching your child. Designate a 'water watcher' – a responsible adult whose only job is to watch the children in and around the water without distractions. And teach children an important rule: Never enter the water unless an adult is watching."
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "SUNY is proud to be a part of Governor Hochul's NY Swims program to train the next generation of lifeguards and provide swimming lessons and water safety education to more New Yorkers. Our state has so much to offer in water sports and recreation, and we are grateful for the Governor's support and our partnership with the YMCA to expand these opportunities for all."
DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, "Governor Hochul's NY SWIMS initiative is expanding access to swimming across New York by investing in the places where families swim and helping more children develop the skills they need to be safe in the water. DASNY is proud to support the Governor's vision through the NY SWIMS capital program, which is creating and improving public swimming facilities in communities across the state. Expanding free swim lessons builds on that investment and helps ensure more New York families can take advantage of these resources."
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership and record NY SWIMS investments, thousands more New York families can access pools and natural waters in their communities. By expanding swim capacity statewide, more learn-to-swim programs can be offered through municipalities, nonprofit partners like the YMCA and American Red Cross as well as our state parks. These free lessons help children develop lifelong water-safety skills, opening the door to countless recreational opportunities while reducing the risk of drowning."