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.
2026 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 funding by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health.
Who Should Register?
This free program is especially intended for:
- Children with little or no previous swim lesson experience.
- Families who may face financial barriers to accessing swim lessons or water safety education.
If this describes your family, we encourage you to register. Space is limited and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upcoming Session Dates, Locations, and Registration
| Location | Dates & Times | Registration Link |
| Kaimukī-Waiʻalae Y | August 29–September 2 Sat/Sun: 5–6pm Mon–Wed: 6–7pm | Register |
| Leeward Y | August 31–September 4 Mon–Fri: 5:45–6:45pm | Register |
| Mililani Y | August 31–September 4 Mon–Fri: 5:45–6:45pm | Register |
| Windward Y | September 8, 10, 15, 17 & 22 Tue/Thu: 5–6pm | Register |