Gullah Swim Academy reports 55 participants in summer lessons held for James Island residents

Nicole Ashby, owner and operator of Gullah Swim Academy, presented the council with a report on a summer swim‑lesson partnership that served James Island residents.

“Our mission is to help people of all ages to build a safe and nurturing relationship with water,” Ashby said, summarizing the program’s goals and curriculum.

The program registered about 55 swimmers and ran instruction in blocks on Fridays using lanes at the City of Charleston recreation center on Quail Drive. Ashby said the lessons were structured as 45‑minute hourly sessions, delivered over a four‑week schedule that was completed by July 11, 2025; the organizers adjusted for holidays and weather and ultimately grouped students by age and ability.

Program details provided to the council included: - Registration and logistics: primarily electronic sign‑ups on the academy website; staff noted some families needed in‑person assistance. - Instruction: three instructors, including Ashby and two family members, taught breath control, floating, kicking, basic stroke mechanics and, for older students, freestyle and backstroke. - Participants: mostly children ages 4–18, with a few adults also joining; organizers provided goggles and swim caps so families did not incur those costs.

Ashby told the council she hopes to expand the program in future years by securing a second location, offering evening classes for working parents and increasing lesson frequency (6–8 weeks rather than four) to deepen skill development. She invited town staff and community groups — schools, churches, scouts — to partner on outreach and future sessions.

Council members thanked Ashby and expressed support for continuing the partnership.