Program aims to teach adults how to swim

INDIANAPOLIS – A program aimed at teaching adults to how to swim is saving hundreds of lives, with the goal of saving even more.

In the United States, there are 10 drownings every day. About 70% of them involve adults.

Swimming coach Mel Goldstein is on a mission to change that.

In 2024 alone, the team at Indy Aquatic Masters saved 250 lives in central Indiana through an adult “learn to swim” program.

Goldstein said 37% of adults can’t swim 25 yards, which is the length of a pool. That lack of knowledge has a dangerous ripple effect.

“If the adult does not know how to swim, generally their children do not,” Goldstein said.

The program includes a total of eight sessions—two 45-minute classes each week. Participants learn five skills:

• Jump in the water over your head
• Tread water
• Turn around
• Swim 25 yards
• Climb out of the pool

Armed with that knowledge, individuals are much safer in the water. Goldstein said the goal is to have zero drownings in central Indiana in 2025 and beyond.

Right now, the program is in three locations, but they’re wanting to expand to reach more people.

“We’re servicing just a handful of people. We want to be able to service more,” Goldstein said. “We have approximately 85 people that are on the waiting list right now that we cannot take care of.”

Goldstein wants to expand the program, but he’s not looking for money. He’s seeking an endorsement from an organization within the community to help bring the program to nine different locations around the state.

If you’re interested in learning how to swim, you can learn more at the Indy Aquatic Masters’ website.

If you’re interested in endorsing the adult learn-to-swim program, contact Goldstein via email at goldsteinmel@sbcglobal.net