Cheers floated across the pool at the North County Aquatic Center recently, as competitors gave it their all during the annual Float Hope Fall Invitational Swim Meet, with participants from the Indian River County Boys and Girls Clubs and Gifford Youth Achievement Center.
Jeffrey Powers founded Float Hope of Indian River County with Scott Barlow, head coach of Treasure Coast Swim Club, to provide free swim lessons to low-income elementary and middle school-aged children, giving them a life-saving skill set that also boosts confidence and can help them compete in life.
A record number of GYAC students now participate, from upwards of 20 over the past four years to 50 today, with others waitlisted, said Angelia Perry, GYAC executive director.
“We are grateful for the opportunity that Float Hope has provided for our students, most of whom are African-American students. Historically the Black students can’t swim. This affords them the opportunity to learn how to swim but also have fun,” said Perry.
Powers said they would love to engage more students but are limited due to transportation, adding, “I am heartbroken over this. If I had another bus for GYAC, we could have 70.
Unfortunately, almost all of our county’s children do not know how to swim.”
According to a 2021 CDC report, accidental drowning for children ages 1 to 14 is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.
Powers would like to see a community pool built in the South County area, which would not only increase the number of early childhood swimming programs but would offer more opportunities for high school students to compete competitively.
The nonprofit funds new swimsuits and goggles for their growing number of participants, and also funds swimmers competing in out-of-town meets, but their biggest need is finding funding for transportation.
“To grow the program, we will need buses and drivers and more coaches and pool time. All doable if we continue growing and don’t have the hiccups we had during COVID in funding,” said Powers.
Liz Lind said that the enthusiasm her 12-year-old daughter, Ekklesia Anderson, has had in the program enticed her little brother, Cedric, to join as well.
“We live in Florida; there’s always water around,” said Lind. “The children learn water safety, and it builds confidence in them. They say, ‘Hey, I can do anything!’ and it carries over outside the pool.”
Michael Marsh echoed that sentiment, saying his 11-year-old daughter, Serenity Marsh, has shown “tremendous growth.”
“I would not be able to afford something like this. I’m just so happy,” said Marsh.
“They’ve had some great guest speakers, and for her to see other female role models out there and realize, ‘Wow, someone like me can do that,’ is pivotal. I want her to stay with this all through high school and into college.”
Elizabeth Thomason, BGCIRC executive director, said more than 500 of their students have gone through the program to date, adding: “The important thing is that they learn how to swim.
I love to see the family participation.”
For more information, visit floathopenow.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
