HOUSTON CITY COUNCILWOMAN TIFFANY D. THOMAS EXPANDS HOUSTON'S ANNUAL SWIM SAFETY CLINIC

Written by Michael Thervil

HOUSTON CITY COUNCILWOMAN TIFFANY D. THOMAS EXPANDS HOUSTON'S ANNUAL SWIM SAFETY CLINIC

[Tiffany D Thomas Houston Annual Swim Safety Clinic] With summer kicking in, water sports, fun, and play is the order of the day, especially on the weekends as temperatures in Houston, Texas heat up well into the upper 90s. With water fun and play comes the issue of safety and prevention. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or simply wish to learn more about water safety and prevention measures, Houston City Councilwoman Tiffany D. Thomas expanded Houston's Annual Swim Safety Clinic as a way to combat the rise in drowning deaths in Houston and Harris County. While it was reported that 14 people drowned last year in Harris Country, it has been reported that an estimated 100 children drowned last year in Texas alone.

Beyond learning basic swimming lessons, classes surrounding the deployment of CPR and the use of AED machines will also be taught at this upcoming event. The following is a Press release that was submitted by the office of Houston city councilwoman Tiffany D. Thomas.

“As summer begins and pools around the city begin to open, Council Member

Tiffany D. Thomas will host her fourth annual Swim Safety Clinic on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alief Neighborhood Center pool, located at 11903 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77072.

The clinic is part of her fifth annual Summer of Safety Series; a set of community activations aimed at protecting families in every environment. Preventing drowning and raising awareness about the importance of water safety is a critical part of that initiative. The event highlights essential skills and resources to help keep children and families across District F and beyond safe around water.

Unintentional drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Harris County recorded 14 drownings last year—the highest in Texas—and has already experienced three tragic child drownings this year. Research shows that when a parent does not know how to swim, there is only a 13 percent chance their child will learn; by contrast, children with swimming parents are 4.3 times more likely to become confident swimmers.

“We’re committed to building generations of confident, capable swimmers in District F,” said Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas. “Every child deserves to feel safe in the water, and every parent deserves peace of mind. Water should bring joy, not tragedy, and we know how quickly things can change — in the tub, at the pool, or in the lake. Our goal is to ensure every family has the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe.”

Supported by a broad coalition of community partners, including Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Waves Swim, and Coach CPR, who will provide targeted swimming lessons for children and CPR instruction for adults. To meet growing demand, this year's clinic will expand to three cohorts, more than doubling capacity to 42 swim‑instruction slots for children ages 4 to 13.

"At Outdoor Afro, we believe everyone deserves the safety, confidence, and freedom that come with knowing the water," said Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. "Through our Making Waves program, we are expanding access to lifesaving swim instruction while helping Black communities build joyful, lifelong relationships with water. When individuals and families feel confident in and around water, rivers, lakes, oceans, and pools become places of wellness, opportunity, stewardship, and belonging. We are proud to support this important event in partnership with the City of Houston and Council Member Tiffany Thomas."

“Houston Waves Swim Club partners with the City of Houston District F to expand access to lifesaving water safety education for children and adults in the Alief community,” said Jared Jefferson, aquatic director at Houston Waves Swim. “Training out of the Alief ISD Natatorium, Houston Waves provides structured, high‑impact clinics that build confidence, accelerate skill development, and teach essential survival techniques. With drowning remaining a leading cause of accidental deaths among children, this partnership ensures more families receive fundamental swimming and water‑safety skills. As a USA Swimming program, Houston Waves is committed to collaborating with community organizations to offer equitable opportunities for all residents to learn to swim and thrive in the water.”

Families are encouraged to register early, as spaces fill quickly. Registration is available in attendees’ preferred language. For real-time updates on the event, follow Council Member Thomas on social media at @tiffanydeshellthomas on Instagram and @ThomasDTiffany on Facebook and X.”