APEX, N.C. — Jacques Gilbert is the Mayor of Apex, and he is learning how to swim for the first time. 

Spectrum News 1 has been following Gilbert's progress since his first swim lesson three months ago. 

Gilbert is taking swimming lessons with Sarah Chaires, the CEO of the Carolina Swim’s Foundation to raise awareness for drowning prevention. 

“I am looking forward to today’s lesson, and hopefully I will be a little bit further along than I was at the last lesson,” Gilbert said ahead of his practice. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the fifth leading cause of death for all ages. Black children between five and 19 drown in pools at rates 5.5 times higher than white children. 

The Carolina Swims Foundation provides swimming lessons to underprivileged and foster children, who may not have access to the resources to learn how to swim. 

Chaires says knowing either how to freestyle swim or breaststroke, along with learning how to float, are live saving tactics in the water. 

“When they’re in the water, if they suddenly become afraid they can roll onto their back, fill their lungs with air, relax their body, and problem solve, if you can problem solve then you can determine a way to get to safety,” Chaires said. 

At his third lesson, Gilbert was able to freestyle on his own. He also began learning the technique to perform the breaststroke. 

“I’m ready to get past that point and achieve a new goal,” Gilbert said. 

At the Wake County’s most recent mayor meeting, Chaires presented each mayor with a life ring as a commitment to saving lives and raising awareness for drowning prevention in their communities.