AT&T and USA Swimming sponsor swim clinic for African-American children

On Saturday, Dec. 5, AT&T and USA Swimming are sponsoring an exclusive swim clinic for African-American children. African-American children drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their Caucasian peers and studies show that nearly 70 percent of African-American children have low or no swim ability.

December 4, 2015 3:00 pm

On Saturday, Dec. 5, AT&T and USA Swimming are sponsoring an exclusive swim clinic for African-American children. African-American children drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their Caucasian peers and studies show that nearly 70 percent of African-American children have low or no swim ability.

Olympian Maritza Correia McClendon will lead an out-of-water safety talk for a group of 50 children. McClendon is the first African-American woman to make the U. S. National Team and win an Olympic medal, earning silver in the women’s 4×100 meter relay in 2004.

The event will take place at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center and local instructors will lead in-water activities for the children.

The clinic is designed to educate parents, children and communities about the importance of learning to swim and being safe around the water. Bathing suits, kickboards, goggles and towels will be provided for the swimmers.