Full Notification

The City of Chula Vista is kicking off Drowning Prevention Month with an April Pools Day event on Saturday, April 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Parkway Aquatic Center. The center is located at 385 Park Way in downtown Chula Vista. Children from 6 months to 16 years old will have an opportunity to participate in free swim lessons. The event will feature a demonstration from the Chula Vista Fire Department and Recreation Department lifeguards. In addition, there will be a free BBQ compliments of the Chula Vista Firefighters Foundation and the Chula Vista Aquatic Club.

May is officially National Drowning Prevention Month with drowning as the second leading cause of accidental death among children under the age of 14. April Pools Day is a national campaign designed to spark awareness about drowning prevention efforts prior to the summer swimming season.

One of the most effective ways to prevent drowning is to teach children how to swim. The free April Pools Day lessons are designed to provide an introduction to the swim lessons that are offered through the City’s Recreation Department. Chula Vista Recreation instructors are Red Cross certified and all classes integrate water safety components that help children become safer in, on, and around water. Last year, more than 5,000 children participated in the City’s swim lesson program.

Participants can pre-register for the swim lessons by calling (619) 409-1985 prior to Friday, April 12, or they can register the day of the event if space is available. Classes will be held at 1, 1:35, 2:10, 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. Children under the age of four must have a parent in the water with them, and an adult must accompany all children to the event.

For more information regarding the April Pools Day event or the City’s Aquatics programs, please visit www.chulavistaca.gov/goto/swim.

Stay Safe!