More Than a Swim Lesson: How YMCA swim programs build skills, save lives, and ignite confidence—at any age
24-07-2025
Every day, thousands of Canadians pass by a pool or a lake without giving it a second thought. But for Owen and Preeti, stepping into the water has been nothing short of life-changing.
Building confidence in the water
Owen Fowler started lifeguarding at 16. Now 22, he’s also a swim instructor at the YMCA and has helped hundreds of people feel strong and safe in the water.
“You're around water a lot in life, especially in Canada,” Owen says. “We have lakes, pools, boating trips—it’s fun, but it’s also a safety issue. Knowing how to swim can save your life.”
As a lifeguard, Owen’s never had to perform a major rescue. But that doesn’t mean danger hasn’t come close.
“One time, a toddler fell into the pool while her mom stepped away. I shouted, and the mom turned back and pulled her out in time,” he recalls. “It showed me how quickly something can happen. Drowning is silent—and fast. You won’t always hear it.”
That’s why he stresses fundamentals like wearing life jackets, staying within arm’s reach of children, and staying vigilant.
But Owen also knows that learning to swim is about more than just safety—it’s about confidence and freedom. “Swimming lets you do more. You can enjoy the lake, play with your friends, or even just feel more secure at a pool party. It makes you feel freer.”
Learning to swim as an adult
For Preeti Bhowmick, swimming wasn’t just a skill to learn—it was a fear to conquer.
“I learned a little as a kid,” she says, “but I was terrified of the deep end. The moment I couldn't touch the bottom, I would panic.” That fear stayed with her into adulthood—until she started working at the YMCA.
“I would walk past the pool every day and hear this tiny voice in my head: ‘Do you want to try again? Be brave.’”
So, she did. Preeti signed up for adult swimming lessons and began what she now calls one of the most transformative experiences of her life.
“That first day, I was excited, but scared. My instructor asked how well I could swim, and I said, ‘Honestly? I might swim. I might drown.’”
With the patience and support of her instructors and lifeguards, Preeti slowly began to build confidence. She remembers the day she first let go of her instructor’s hand in the deep end. “That was the moment. I realized I could trust myself. I could trust the water. It wasn’t my enemy.”
More than a skill—a life lesson
Both Owen and Preeti agree: swimming teaches far more than physical technique.
For Owen, swimming builds confidence. “If you're confident in the water, you're confident outside of it. It teaches you to stay calm, to be aware of your surroundings, to act when needed.”
For Preeti, the lessons went even deeper. “Swimming taught me the power of letting go. When you fight the water, it fights you back. But when you trust it, you float.”
She adds that learning a new skill as an adult has been a rare joy. “We forget how good it feels to learn something new—to be clumsy, to not be perfect, and still be proud of ourselves. I got to enjoy it like a kid, but with the mindset of an adult. That’s a gift.”
Now, she encourages others—especially adults—to give themselves that same opportunity. “You’re not too old. You’re not too late. The water doesn’t care how old you are.”
Swimming Saves Lives—and Changes Them
Whether it’s a child learning the basics, an adult overcoming fear, or a lifeguard staying sharp, swim lessons at the YMCA offer more than skills—they offer confidence, safety, and a chance to grow.
As Owen puts it, “You don’t want to be the kid—or the adult—who’s afraid to go in the water. The YMCA is a great place to learn. It’s where I learned. It’s where I now teach. And it’s never too late to start.”
So, whether you're 6 or 60, scared or just unsure, there’s a lane waiting for you. And once you take the plunge, there’s a world of adventure waiting.
#ShineOn #DrowningPreventionWeek2025 #IgnitePotential #YSavesLives
Whether you're learning how to swim or just want to get back in the water and have some fun, the YMCA is here to help you shine!
