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Swim lessons for kids, water safety training for parents
Teaching young children and families how to be safe around water continues to be an urgent summertime issue. In addition to providing Water Safety Patrol lifeguards at our most frequently visited recreation sites, Regional Parks offers the popular Vamos a Nadar (Let’s go Swimming) water safety program.
Designed to reduce drowning deaths in our community, Vamos a Nadar has reached more than 2,000 young people in Sonoma County since launching in 2004. The program partners with local pools, swim instructors and Regional Parks lifeguards to teach lessons to kids ages 5 and up and educate parents and children about the hazards presented by pools, rivers, and lakes. Among other things, the classes inform parents how to evaluate conditions, emphasize the importance of observing aquatic safety rules, provide tips for monitoring children as well as rescue techniques for areas where lifeguards are not present.
Vamos a Nadar typically serves families with limited resources who otherwise probably could not afford swim lessons. After each workshop, families are invited to enjoy and explore the swimming areas together. Each family also receives a coupon for additional swim lessons at all local pools involved in the program for a reduced price of $15.
Other water safety resources
Free loaner life jackets at river beaches (seasonally)
Wearing a life jacket is the best way to stay safe on the Russian River; there are unseen hazards and changing conditions on the river. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, through Labor Day, life jackets are on free loan at the following Regional Park Russian River beaches: Del Rio Woods, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Steelhead Beach, Forestville River Access and Sunset Beach. Borrow one for the day and return it when you leave.
The Russian River safety patrol also returns to Regional Parks' Russian River beaches beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.