Makin’ Waves

Team members: Michelle Crawford, Morris Ellison, Justin Lee, Jaymes McCloud, Katie McCravy, Chip McQueeney, Kay Phillips, Sam Skardon, Laurie Lynn Smith

Water safety is an issue of critical concern in a coastal area such as Charleston, with its access to beaches and waterways. Every summer, water safety and drowning prevention is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Unfortunately, many in the community have not learned how to swim. This lack of knowledge poses serious safety concerns, particularly when people visit our beautiful beaches or when significant coastal flooding occurs.

One of the biggest barriers is being able to provide insight to questions, concerns, and fears that people of color may have regarding swimming. While not everyone can be Anthony Ervin, USA gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics or Simone Manuel, USA gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, virtually everyone can learn to swim to be safe. It’s never too late to learn how to swim.

To help address this need, Makin’ Waves partnered with Charleston County Parks and Recreation (CCPRC). CCPRC started the Genesis Swim Safety Project, which was established after the tragic drowning of 13-year-old Genesis Holmes in Hollywood, SC. The project aims to support aquatic safety programs to reduce the number of drownings in Charleston County. The Genesis Project provides swim lessons primarily at the new West County Aquatic Center in Hollywood to children ages 3 to 12, but will provide lessons for all ages. The Genesis Swim Safety Fund focuses on drowning prevention in the Lowcountry by raising funds to offer aquatic programs in rural areas such as Johns Island, Awendaw/McClellanville and Ravenel/Hollywood.

The Genesis Swim Safety Fund offers a vehicle to support aquatic safety and swim instruction scholarships.  More information on the details of the Genesis Project can be found here: Genesis Swim Safety Fund | Charleston County Parks and Recreation

Makin’ Waves will produce a video ad addressing the common barriers to learning to swim with testimonials and interviews from others who have learned. This project will help CCPRC provide insight in response to questions, concerns, and fears that people may have regarding swimming. If others can hear success stories overcoming fears and myths about swimming, we can change the culture in communities like Hollywood.