Free Community Swims to Highlight Drowning Prevention in Owen Sound and Meaford
The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is offering free community swims on July 20 as part of National Drowning Prevention Week, promoting water safety and lifesaving education for all ages.
As National Drowning Prevention Week approaches, the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is inviting families to participate in two free community swims designed to promote water safety, awareness, and lifesaving education.
Running from July 20 to 26, the annual campaign, led by the Lifesaving Society, emphasizes the critical importance of reducing preventable drownings across Canada. This year’s theme, “Safer Together,” encourages communities to take collective responsibility for water safety—whether at the beach, pool, dock, or on the boat.
To kick off the week locally, the YMCA will host free swims on Sunday, July 20, with support from Ontario Power Generation:
YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce (700 10th St. E., Owen Sound)
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Blue Dolphin Pool (57 Richmond St., Meaford)
12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Both swims are open to all members of the public and include opportunities to win a water safety prize pack, learn water safety tips, and enjoy recreational time with family.
“We’re proud to work with community partners like OPG to remove barriers and promote safe aquatic activities,” said Brandon Downing, Manager of Health, Fitness & Aquatics at the YMCA. “We all have a role to play in preventing drownings, and it starts with education, access, and awareness.”
In addition to recreational swims, the YMCA delivers a broad range of swim instruction for all ages—from parent-and-tot classes to adult lessons—while also embedding vital safety skills into every session.
Programs like Swim to Survive and Swim to Survive+, offered in partnership with Lifesaving Society Ontario, are delivered to schools across Grey Bruce during the academic year.
These initiatives teach students the essential skills to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Between September and May, more than 900 students took part in these sessions, gaining knowledge that could one day save their lives.
The week also leads up to World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, a global observance led by the World Health Organization to remember lives lost and call for action on water safety.
For schedules, registration, and additional resources on swim programs and drowning prevention, visit ymcaowensound.on.ca.