c h i l d r e n ’s p r o d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s f e at u r e
COVER STORY: Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
Aqua-Tots Drives Awareness
on Dangers of Nationwide Lifeguard Shortage
is leading to more people – particularly children – going to unsupervised places to swim. Aqua-Tots aims to raise awareness of this ongoing summer challenge by encouraging families to only swim when adult supervision is present and by offering swim lessons to combat child drowning statistics.
World’s largest swim school franchise warns that children are more likely to enter water unsupervised, encourages families to only swim with an adult present and enroll in lessons
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has been saving lives for over 30 years and is voicing its concern that the country’s current shortage of lifeguards is putting more lives in danger. The American Lifeguard Association has stated that there is a critical shortage of lifeguards, with eight out of 10 of the country’s parks and recreation departments reporting they are short-staffed at their public beaches, pools and water parks. This decline in numbers of lifeguards
28 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
“The shortage of lifeguards is something that should be a real concern for all of us,” said Aqua-Tots CEO Craig Wright. “Statistics tell us that approximately 900 children die from unintentional drownings each year in the U.S. When you add in fewer lifeguards at pools and beaches across the country, it becomes even more concerning – especially during the summer when everyone is trying to stay cool in the water.” A recent survey by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that swimming is the fourth most popular form of exercise in the country. Children’s ability to swim doesn’t rank as high, however, with 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic and 40% of White children having little or no swimming ability.
