The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) applied for and was awarded funding from the New Hanover Community Endowment to support a Learn-to-Swim program. This grant application aimed at addressing disparities in water safety education and increasing swim accessibility for underserved student populations.
The program was inspired by the research of Ann Freeman, the former assistant secretary to the UNCW Board of Trustees, during her Master’s studies. Her research, A Swimming Dilemma, uncovered alarming statistics: nearly 50% of Black residents in Wilmington identified as non-swimmers, and that number increased to 88% among low-income participants.
EXTRA CREDIT: Read about UAB’s Rec Swim School, another hands-on swim program.
This semester — through a collaborative effort involving MarineQuest and Campus Recreation — school-aged students in New Hanover County participated in after-school swim lessons designed to teach essential water safety and swimming skills. Campus Recreation played a critical role in the program’s implementation. Lessons were led by:
- Myself (Adrianna Del Amo), the assistant director of Fitness and Aquatics.
- Brian Doherty, a graduate assistant of Aquatics.
- And a student team of swim instructors.
Over the course of three weeks, 39 students first engaged in hands-on learning with MarineQuest. They gained foundational knowledge about marine biology and the local aquatics environment. Following these interactive classroom sessions, they transitioned to the pool, where they developed confidence and competency in the water. The structured lessons emphasized not only swim techniques but also critical safety skills. It ensures participants learned how to be safer in, on and around the water.
This hands-on swim program exemplifies UNCW’s dedication to fostering community partnerships and addressing critical public safety concerns. By combining academic research, hands-on learning and direct engagement, the initiative not only provided life-saving swim instruction but also empowered student instructors with valuable teaching experience. Campus Recreation remains committed to expanding access to swim education by offering free group swim lessons twice a month and providing American Red Cross certification courses at a reduced cost.
