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Scottsdale waives fees for swimming lessons in August

Swimming pool
(Photo by Sky Schaudt - KJZZ)
Swimming pool.

Forty eight water-related deaths have taken place in Maricopa and Pinal Counties since January, according to the nonprofit Children’s Safety Zone, which records such incidents across the state.

To bring awareness of water safety, Scottsdale Aquatics is waiving fees throughout August to teach people from ages 6 months and above how to swim.

The initiative is done to recognize Arizona Drowning Impact Awareness Month.

Last year, over 200 people enrolled in the waived swim lessons.

“So from stories that I have heard, a lot of the cases were lack of adult supervision and lack of barriers around the pool," said Kristen Clark with Scottsdale’s community services department.

These swim lessons involve teaching lifesaving skills for children and adults.

“So we have lifeguards that are dedicated to just watching the water during swim lessons. And we have our certified swim instructors that are teaching as well as our management staff that are there to supervise day of operations," she said.

The Children’s Safety Zone reported 57 drowning deaths occurred in Maricopa and Pinal Counties last year.

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Ignacio Ventura is a reporter for KJZZ. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in news media and society.