News of The Month

You can find recent activities happening in Fresno County or throughout California.

Overview: Communities across California are promoting water safety with events, training, and resources this summer. Below is a roundup of August drowning prevention activities – from free swim lessons to safety fairs – in the state’s most populous counties. Each listing includes a summary and a link for more information.

Los Angeles County

  • Free Summer Swim Programs: Los Angeles County operated an expanded Summer Pool season through August 16, offering a “full array of free and low-cost aquatic programming” (e.g. swimming lessons and water safety classes) at public pools. Families could enroll in these programs to improve swim skills and learn about drowning prevention. (See LA County Parks announcement for details.)

San Diego County

Orange County

Riverside County

  • Free Swim Lessons for Kids: Young children in Riverside County have been learning to swim for free this summer. At the Palm Desert Aquatic Center (YMCA), kids 5 and under can “make a splash with FREE swim lessons all summer long,” thanks to a First 5 Riverside County grant. These no-cost lessons (offered through August) aim to prevent toddler drownings by teaching water skills to little ones and water-safety knowledge to parents.

 

San Bernardino County

  • Drowning Prevention & Safety Day: San Bernardino County communities held a major water-safety outreach event last month. The City of Rialto hosted “Drowning Prevention & Safety Day” on Saturday, July 19, at Tom Sawyer Pool, where families enjoyed free swim time, watched rescue demonstrations with local firefighters, and learned pool safety tips. This annual summer event is part of the county’s campaign to educate parents and children about drowning risks and prevention strategies.

Santa Clara County

Young participants learning to water-ski at a Santa Clara County Parks “Taste of Water Skiing” clinic – an example of fun recreational programs that emphasize water safety.

  • Youth Water Ski Safety Clinics: In Santa Clara County, the Parks Department teamed up with the Santa Clara County Water Ski Club to offer “A Taste of Water Skiing” clinics for kids. These free summer clinics (held in July) provided all equipment and lessons for youth ages 8–17 to learn water-skiing in a safe, controlled setting. By teaching kids to wear life vests and follow safety rules on the water, the program helped build water competency and prevent accidents. (Contact Santa Clara County Parks for future water-sport safety events.)

Alameda County

  • Life Jacket Loaner Program: East Bay swimming areas in Alameda County are making sure everyone stays safe at the lake or pool. The East Bay Regional Park District provides free loaner life jackets at all its guarded swim facilities for any visitor who needs one. If you’re unsure of your swimming abilities, you can borrow a life vest (courtesy of the Regional Parks Foundation) at parks like Cull Canyon, Lake Temescal, or Don Castro. This ongoing service is an easy way for families to add a layer of protection against drowning during summer outings.

Contra Costa County

  • Life Jackets at Park Swim Areas: Contra Costa residents can also take advantage of the East Bay parks’ free life jacket program. Every East Bay Regional Park District swimming beach or pool with lifeguards offers complimentary life jackets for children and adults to borrow while swimming. By wearing a properly fitting life vest (required for kids under 13 on boats by law), park visitors can significantly reduce drowning risk. (No special event is needed – simply ask a lifeguard for a loaner jacket when you arrive at the swim area.)

 

 

Sacramento County

  • Summer Swim Lesson Programs: In the Sacramento area, agencies have been running drowning prevention activities all summer. For example, the Cosumnes CSD in southern Sacramento County offered an extensive Summer Swim Lesson schedule (June 2 – August 7, 2025) at its aquatic centers. These affordable lessons for kids and teens continued through early August at pools in Elk Grove and Galt. Local public health officials note that formal swimming instruction and water competency can dramatically reduce childhood drowning risk. (Contact your local parks and rec department for fall swim lesson opportunities.)

Fresno County

  • Water Safety Outreach Events: Fresno County is actively promoting water safety through hospitals and coalitions. Valley Children’s Healthcare leads a comprehensive Water Safety Program that provides “broad-based awareness messaging, educational opportunities and community outreach events” to families throughout the Central Valley. This includes partnering with groups like the Water Safety Council of Fresno County and Safe Kids Central Valley to host safety fairs, distribute life jackets, and teach the “ABC’s of Water Safety” (Adult supervision, Barriers like pool fences, and Classes like CPR and swim lessons). Keep an eye on local community calendars – free water safety events and CPR trainings are offered in the Fresno area year-round.

Sources

  • Los Angeles County Parks – Summer 2025 Aquatics Programs

  • Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego – Summer 2025 Parent & Tot Workshops (social post)

  • United States Lifesaving Association – 2025 National Lifeguard Championships Announcement

  • City of Palm Desert / First 5 Riverside – Free Tot Swim Lessons Announcement

  • City of Rialto – Drowning Prevention & Safety Day 2025 Event Info

  • Santa Clara County Parks – “A Taste of Water Skiing” Youth Clinic Details

  • East Bay Regional Park District – Water Safety Notice (Free Loaner Life Jackets)

  • Cosumnes CSD – Summer Swim Lessons Schedule 2025

  • Valley Children’s Hospital – Water Safety Program Overview