Editor's note: This story is part of Southwest Michigan's Second Wave's On the Ground Kalamazoo series.

Kalamazoo, MI – As this year's drowning deaths in Michigan’s Great Lakes reach 45 and counting, Kalamazoo's Masters Swim Club (ZOOM) is making waves with a simple solution: teach more adults how to swim.

"There are a lot of people who don't know how to swim," says Lead Instructor Allison McKenna, who is a driving force in the ZOOM Adult-Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program.  "We try to give people one-on-one instruction in that space as much as possible so people can take in the information at their pace, to let their body learn how to move in the water."

For the second year in a row, Kalamazoo Masters Swim Club was chosen as one of 33 adult programs in 22 states to receive grant money as part of a nationwide network of swim lessons.  Awarded by the USA Swimming Foundation, the $5,000 grant will fund free or reduced-cost swim lessons for adults.  

“The renewal of our Adult-Learn-to-Swim grant is truly impactful,” ZOOM Board Chair Karl Kowalske says in a press release. “The money we received last year helped us establish a high-quality, low-cost program where we have helped adults throughout our community overcome a lifelong fear of the water and learn to swim. These classes are the first steps toward living a healthier lifestyle through swimming. In fact, several of our graduates have continued their learning in our intermediate class, Learn to Lap Swim. This program has also inspired several of our members to become certified Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructors.”

Courtesy: Kalamazoo Masters Swim ClubAllison McKenna, lead instructor, stands with the July cohort of the Kalamazoo Masters Swim Club Adult-Learn-to-Swim program.The classes, which were held in June and will be held again in August, at the Kalamazoo College Natatorium, cost $75, which is half of what lessons typically cost. In addition, if participants are unable to afford the $75 cost, there are additional scholarships available, says McKenna.

Importance of water safety

The number one reason to learn to swim, McKenna says, is to be safe near water. "We all end up close to water at some point in our lives, and a lot of times, you never know when something might happen. Water safety is key."

People don't learn to swim for a variety of reasons. "Sometimes their parents were scared and just didn't have them take lessons as kids. Or they had a bad experience when they were children, and they just stayed away from the water ever since then. Some never had access to a pool. Access is a big thing."

"In terms of the spectrum (of participants), some people kind of know how to swim, and they just want to get better at it, but several people who have come to the class have had traumatic experiences, near drownings, and such. They are really brave at first. Then we see different types of behaviors, such as asking questions or rushing, which indicate fear."

Swimming has many benefits

A proficient swimmer, by definition, can swim 25 yards without stopping — that's one length of a pool. 

"The statistics are kind of crazy, if you think about it," she says. "Just under one third of people can't swim 25 yards. If you can't swim that far, you don't know how to swim, especially if you get in a situation where you don't know what to do."

Courtesy: Kalamazoo Masters Swim ClubHenri Prudhomme, ALTS Assistant Instructor, watches Millard Southern practicing a back float.In addition, if an adult in the household learns to swim, children in the household are "multiple times more likely" to learn to swim, too. "It goes generation to generation," she says. Research shows if a parent in the household doesn't know how to swim, there is only a 19% chance that a child in the house will learn to swim.

Learning to swim, however, is about more than overcoming the fear of drowning. Studies have shown that as a low-impact form of exercise, it benefits overall wellbeing in terms of cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. Water, after all, is one of nature's greatest healers. And swimming has other benefits, as well, beyond the pleasure of being in the water.

"In terms of mental health, that's one of the main reasons why I swim," says McKenna. "I'm a lifelong swimmer. What I get out of swimming is a quieter mind; it's really soothing for my mental health. It's a great exercise. It's low impact, especially for people who are recovering from other sports injuries."

Registration for the next Adult-Learn-to-Swim classes, which start August 12, is currently closed, but has a wait list.

Learn-to-Lap-Swim

In addition to ALTS classes, Kalamazoo Masters Swim Club also offers a Learn-to-Lap-Swim program that will be starting in September. 

Over 10 years old, the Kalamazoo Master Swim Club is a nonprofit under the United States Masters Swimming organization. It functions as a workout club with multiple levels of swimmer support, including competitive training. Currently, over 75 people participate with a wide age range — from their 20s to 70s. You must be 18 years old to participate.

Courtesy: Kalamazoo Masters Swim ClubALTS participant Karen Isble"I would definitely say that no matter what skill level someone has with the water, from beginners to nationally-ranked competitive swimmers, we have something for them."

The club practices at both the City of Kalamazoo's Kik Pool (in the summer) and at the Kalamazoo College Natatorium, in early mornings, noons, and evenings. ZOOM also collaborates with the Kalamazoo College Center for Civic Engagement's Swim for Success program to build a bridge with their program that provides swim lessons and tutoring for school-aged children, so the children's parents can participate while their kids receive tutoring.

"We are proud to be a part of the vibrant swimming community in Kalamazoo, and we're so pleased to be able to share our knowledge so others can make swimming a part of their lives," says McKenna.

ZOOM welcomes all levels

"For each of our workout times, there is a full spectrum of speed and skill levels," says McKenna. "We group everybody by lanes based on how fast they can swim and how comfortable they are in the water. We also have lanes we can dive in and practice competitively.

"Being a part of a swim club is such a wonderful thing," says McKenna. "There's a lot of shared interest. And a lot of support from lane to lane. It's just a really nice way to get to know people."

To learn more about Kalamazoo Masters Swim Club, see this LINK.