Thank you for your interest in the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program. At this time, all sessions are at full capacity.
Check our swim resources:
| Water Safety Resources | Upcoming Swim Lessons | Financial Aid For Swim Lessons |
Drowning is preventable and learning to be safe around water is the first step
The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program gives kids the skills and confidence they need in and around pools, beaches, and beyond.
What is Safety Around Water?
Safety Around Water (SAW) teaches children vital water safety skills. Our goal is to help every child feel confident in and around water, reduce the risk of drowning, and empower families with lifesaving knowledge. A typical session, which includes five 1-hour lessons, includes:
- Exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water
- Instruction in two skill sets kids can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water: Jump, Push, Turn, & Grab and Swim, Float, & Swim.
- Fun activities that reinforce skills
- Safety topics and tools like what to do if you see someone in the water who needs help; and in addition, for Parents and caregivers the YMCA’s Phones Down, Eyes Up™ campaign for distraction-free supervision, and Water Watcher badges to designate an adult to actively monitor kids near water.
Program Details
- Ages: 5-15 years old
- Program Length: 5 days (each session is 1 hour with 40-45 minutes for water activities and 15-20 minutes for dry land safety activities). Participants must be able to attend all 5 lessons in their session.
- Cost: Free for all participants, thanks to generous community funding
- Mililani, Leeward, Kaimuki, and Windward are funded by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health
- Nuʻuanu is funded in memory of Juliette Ortega by her family.
2025 Session Dates, Locations, and Registration
Thank you for your interest in the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program. At this time, all sessions are at full capacity.
Check our swim resources:
| Water Safety Resources | Upcoming Swim Lessons | Financial Aid For Swim Lessons |
| Location | Session 1 | Session 2 |
| Kaimukī-Waiʻalae Y | July 10–14 Thu, Fri & Mon: 5:45–6:45pm Sat & Sun: 5–6pm | July 17–21 Thu, Fri & Mon: 5:45–6:45pm Sat & Sun: 5–6pm |
| Leeward Y | July 19–23 Sat/Sun: 2–3pm Mon–Wed: 5:30–6:30pm | July 26–30 Sat/Sun: 2–3pm Mon–Wed: 5:30–6:30pm |
| Mililani Y | July 21–25 Mon–Fri: 5:40–6:40pm | July 28–Aug 1 Mon–Fri: 5:40–6:40pm |
| Nuʻuanu Y | July 14–18 Mon–Fri: 5:10–6:10pm | July 21–25 Mon–Fri: 5:10–6:10pm |
| Windward Y | July 14–18 Mon–Fri: 5:30–6:30pm | July 21–25 Mon–Fri: 5:30–6:30pm |