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Council highlights local swim‑safety program after presentation on drowning prevention
Summary
A council member introduced a presentation on water safety; Calvin Thomes, founder of Dolphin, described teaching more than 10,000 lessons since 2020 and urged expansion of year‑round swim instruction and supervision practices.
Los Angeles — Council members heard a presentation on water‑safety education focused on community swim lessons and drowning prevention.
Council materials and speakers described a local nonprofit swim program (identified in the record as Dolphin) that the presenter said has delivered more than 10,000 lessons since 2020 and reached schools and communities across more than 25 neighborhoods. “Our mission is simple but firm: we want to prevent drownings in Los Angeles and teach thousands more safe swimmers by 2028,” said Calvin Thomes, introduced in the record as the founder and entrepreneur of the program.
Council members and other speakers praised the program for improving access to aquatics and for partnering with community centers. One council member noted ongoing facility renovations (including pools in Expo Park and a newly opened pool in another district) as opportunities to expand lessons and community programming. Presenters urged year‑round instruction, consistent lifeguard/supervision practices and partnerships with community organizations to reach children and adults who currently lack access to swim education.
There was no formal council vote on the presentation; council members expressed support and thanked program staff and volunteers.
