Winnsboro, SC (WLTX) — Winnsboro police are investigating after a two-year-old fell into the 4-foot-deep section of a local pool on Saturday. Police say the child was with his grandfather and three other grandkids when the incident occurred.
According to Winnsboro Police Chief John Seibles, the child was playing ball with his brother when the ball landed near the edge of the pool. When the child went to retrieve it, he fell into the water.
EMS was called and checked out the child who survived the incident.
Many children aren't so lucky.
As summer continues, WLTX looked into where parents, kids, and other adults can take swim lessons around the Columbia area.
Aquatics Director at the Harbison Community Center, Benjamin Turner, says it's never too late.
"If your child or your grandparent, or your sister, or your aunt and uncle, if they don't know how to swim, they need to learn how to swim," Turner says "You never know, you may be in the boat, you might fall out of a boat, things happen. This is the one sport that can save your life."
Here are a few places that offer swimming lessons.
The Charles R. Drew Wellness Center at 2101 Walker Solomon Way, (803) 545-3200
6 month to 6-years-old: September 8, 15, 22, 29, $15-30
7-year-olds - 15-year-olds: September 10-26 on Mondays and Wednesdays, September 11-27 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, $15-$30
Ages 16 and up: September 10-26 on Mondays and Wednesdays, September 11-27 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, $15-$30.
Harbison Community Center at 106 Hillpine Road, (803) 781-2281
Weekend Sessions on September 8, 15, 22, 29 and October 7, 14, 21, 28. $30-$35
Weekday Sessions on August 6-9, 13-16, and October 1-4 and 8-11, $50-$55
Additional weekday sessions are available into December, you can check them here.
Jeep Rogers Family YMCA at 900 Lake Carolina Drive, (803) 451-8439
NorthWest Family YMCA at 1501 Kennerly Road, (803) 407-8007
Four week sessions during the week: August 27 - September 20, September 24 - October 18, $40-$80
Eight week sessions on Saturdays: August 25 - October 13, $40-$80
Two week sessions in the Summer: August 6-16, $40-$80
Other locations and sessions are available and can be found here.
Palmetto Athletic Center at 1193 North Lake Drive in Lexington, (803) 951-2090
Lessons for different ages and skill levels can be found here and cost $115-$175.
Those are just a few of the places offering swimming lessons for a variety of ages and skill levels.