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A Houma event teaching children and families about swimming and water safety has been rained out.
The Aqua Safety First Community Program event, scheduled for this Saturday at Dumas Auditorium, has been canceled due to inclement weather. However, Aqua Safety Founder Woodrow Parker said he is working to reschedule the event for June 24 and is waiting on approval from Terrebonne Recreation District 11 for approval.
Parker started Aqua Safety eight years ago as a small operation hosting water safety workshops. He said it is critical to teach young children how to swim in Louisiana, which had 117 drowning deaths and ranked fourth in the nation in drowning death rate in 2015, according to Centers for Disease Control Data. Parker said learning how to swim is just one part, though; his program promotes an entire culture of safety around pools and beaches.
“Not only prevention but also bringing awareness that everyone should know CPR and first aid and how important it is,” Parker said. “We’re tying that into what we’re doing this year and growing those classes that people sometimes take for granted.”
Parker said Aqua Safety is working on hosting a number of other events across the state, including one in Thibodaux. He said the program welcomes any local businesses promoting health and awareness, including food vendors, to set up tents at the workshops free of charge. According to Parker, the safety courses not only teach kids and family members how to stay safe in the water, but they also mark the beginning of summer fun for many families.
“We like to say that we’re the LSU cheerleader when it comes to swimming. We get everybody excited, then we tell them where to go,” Parker said.
