ORLANDO, FL (May 13, 2024) – Free swimming lessons are now available for Orange County residents at the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center (RAFC). The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) is providing a series of swimming lessons for beginners, ages 6 months to 12 years old. In addition to the swimming lessons, the program will also offer lifeguard and water safety instructor courses.

According to the FDOH, drowning is one of the leading causes of preventable death in
children 1–4 years of age in Florida. In an effort to combat the rising number, the department selected the RAFC as the host pool for the first sessions which start in May and continue through the summer months. May is National Water Safety Month.

“Teaching others to swim, especially children, is a main value of what we do here at the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center and our main priority is to provide a safe learning environment to do so,” said Mike Miller, Executive Director of the RAFC. “It’s an honor to work with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County to bring this program to life.”

With the summer months approaching and temperatures rising, more people are jumping into the water to cool down. Dr. Robert Karch from the DOH-Orange says there are three things you can do right now to keep children as safe as possible:

• Adult Supervision: Proper adult supervision around water is critical. Whether at a backyard pool, a hotel or resort, or at the beach, always have an attentive adult whose job it is to keep an eye on the kids at all times.
• Install Pool Fencing: Most childhood drowning injuries and deaths occur when children are not expected to be near the water, so install pool fencing with self-latching gates. Lock all doors leading to the pool area and use door and pool alarm systems. Never leave an infant or toddler in a bathtub, not even for a second.
• Take Water Safety Courses: Learn CPR and enroll infants, toddlers, and children in high-quality swimming classes.

“Our goal for the swim classes is that every child in Florida is a swimmer and has the necessary water survival skills to prevent senseless death or injury due to drowning…” said Dr. Karch.

To learn more about the Every Child a Swimmer program in Orange County and to register for free swim classes if eligible, please visit the Florida Department of Health in Orange County website at orange.floridahealth.gov.

The Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center is located at 8422 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819.

Media inquiries should be directed to publicrelations@rosenhotels.com.