University of Arizona Initiative Expands Free Swim Lessons to All Ages
In an innovative move to bridge historical gaps in swimming access, the University of Arizona has expanded its free swim lesson program, initially launched in 2023, to include teenagers and adults. This initiative, in collaboration with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona and U of A Aquatics, aims to provide comprehensive swimming education to Tucson’s community members who otherwise lack access.
From Fear to Freedom: Dive into Opportunity offers not just swim instruction but also provides necessary gear like swimsuits, goggles, towels, and sunscreen. A recent addition to the provided equipment is swim caps, addressing a long-standing barrier for African American women.
Registration is open. Use the discount code: AAMSAZ2026.
The expansion was driven by demand, noted museum director Nikieia Johnson. “Many adults, especially individuals in their 60s and 70s, started reaching out in mass, saying that they never had a chance to learn how to swim and would like to learn how,” she stated.
Research from the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics underscores the importance of formal swim instruction, showing an 88% reduction in drowning risk for children aged 1 to 4. The CDC also highlights a significant disparity in drowning rates among African American children and adults compared to their white counterparts.
Museum co-founder Beverely Elliott explained that these disparities stem from historical segregation. “Children of color were not allowed to swim back in the day, so these statistics have just carried through generations,” she said.
In Arizona’s pool-centric culture, this program’s importance is amplified. While the focus remains on African American children, the program is inclusive of anyone without access to swim lessons.
Program Expansion and Community Impact
The program’s initial funding came from a $5,000 Community Impact grant from OneAZ Community Foundation. Continued support from local donors like Betsy Bruce sustains the program, enabling it to extend to adults.
The U of A Aquatics team, led by Daniel Hepfer, focuses on water safety, starting with basic comfortability in water. “It’s the novelty of floating on your back, or front, that people struggle with initially,” Hepfer explained.
Lessons for adults and teens run alongside youth programs, covering everything from basic water entry to advanced strokes. The intake surveys reveal that 80% of participants are community members with no university affiliation, and many cited cost as a barrier to learning to swim previously.
Many families reported a fear of water, with parents lacking pool safety knowledge. Elliott emphasized the importance of teaching basic survival skills to prevent drownings. “This is why the program’s basic premise is water survival skills,” she said.
Participants, like Johnson, anticipate improvements in confidence and overall well-being. “After watching my son successfully learn through the program, it’s my turn,” she shared.
Hepfer shared stories of participants’ progress, such as a grandmother who learned to swim with her grandchildren and a teen who became a competitive swimmer. “It’s been really satisfying to see that progression,” Hepfer noted.
A version of this story originally appeared on the Office of Research and Partnerships website.
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