Making a Splash in Water Safety for Johns Island Kids

For 16 years, the Be Water Wise swim program – run by Waterproof Inc., has been opening the world of water to children from Johns Island. Since 2010, this free program has provided essential swim lessons and water safety training to local first-graders who might otherwise never learn how to swim. This May, seventy enthusiastic first-graders from Angel Oak Elementary School joined the 2026 swim camp at the SIPOA outdoor pool, discovering the joy and life-saving skills of swimming.

Despite unseasonably cold weather that limited the program to five training days instead of nine, the children made remarkable progress. Each day began with water safety instruction, followed by one-on-one coaching from dedicated volunteers. Many kids arrived having never been in a pool before, some hesitant even to get their faces wet. Through patient encouragement, they learned skills like “wall walking” around the pool and exiting unassisted. The shallow ends of Seabrook’s pool proved perfect for teaching small groups safely, while the nearby playground offered a fun waiting area.

This year, twenty certified coaches and five deck staff (including two Spanish interpreters) brought warmth and expertise to the program. All volunteers complete rigorous training, including CPR/AED certification, age-specific swim instruction, and youth protection courses. Many return year after year, describing the experience as incredibly rewarding. While cold water presented a challenge, the program’s impact remains powerful: learning to swim dramatically reduces drowning risk, and several past participants have returned years later to thank their coaches.

The partnership with SIPOA provides unique advantages: a safe, accessible teaching environment and strong community support that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. As Waterproof Inc. looks ahead, the goal remains simple: continue serving local children for as long as the need exists. With SIPOA’s willingness to extend pool access and potential new facilities on Johns Island on the horizon, the future of Be Water Wise shines bright.

A heartfelt thank you to all the Seabrook Island volunteers, SIPOA staff, and community members who make this life-saving program possible. Together, we’re not just teaching children how to swim, we’re building confidence, creating opportunities, and keeping our Lowcountry kids safer for years to come.

Thank you to Maureen Healy and the Seabrook Island Photography Club for photos.