Swim Safety for Citrus County

“Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children 1-4 than any other cause except congenital anomalies (birth defects).”-CDC

Teaching children to swim can make monumental impact on water safety because according, to the CDC, “taking part in in formal swimming lessons reduces the risk of drowning among children aged 1 to 4 years.”

Local swim classes:

• For ages of 6 months through adulthood, the City of Inverness-Whispering Pines Park teaches sessions of American Red Cross swim lessons. For more information, visit their website www.inverness-fl.gov or call or email Betty Pleacher, Aquatics Coordinator, 352-726-3913 ext. 1308 or bpleacher@inverness-fl.gov.
• For children in 2^nd grade in the Citrus County School system, the Citrus County Schools Learn to Swim Program provides swim lessons during the school year. For more information contact Bruce Sheffield, Coordinator of Health, PE and Special Programs at 352-726-1931 ext. 2239.
• YMCA of the Suncoast offers a variety of swimming programs. For more information see their website at https://www.ymcasuncoast.org/citrus or call Nick Dunn at 352-500-9622.
• The Citrus County Parks & Recreation Department also offers swim lessons for various ability levels at Bicentennial Pool in Crystal River. Please check their website for availability at http://www.citrusbocc.com/commserv/parksrec/pool/pool.htm or call at 352-795-1478.

Swim Lesson Providers who wish to be added to this list can contact the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County via email at webmaster09@flhealth.gov.