It’s no surprise that Melissa Gillespie spends her work days in the pool. After all, swimming is the family business. Her father and brother were swim coaches, while she helps beginner swimmers earn their water wings.

“If you can float, get your face wet and you can swim, anyone can," she said. "My dad always said that if you can float, you can swim.” 

The swim classes she teaches at the Monroe YMCA get kids and even adults comfortable in water. They could be even more important in communities around New York and the nation.

A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled troubling trends when it comes to Americans' water safety. Drowning deaths increased from 2020 to 2022 compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

It also found discrepancies. Indigenous and African Americans drowned at a higher rate. A CDC survey found that more than half of adults in the U.S. have not had swimming lessons. 

Gillespie said that anyone who doesn’t know how to swim should look to take classes like the ones at the Y.

Instructors are there to help adults who don’t know how, and to get past the stigma and fears.

“To make them not afraid, but feel confident when they are swimming in the water," she said. "And that way a little bit that fear is taken away. But also like understand, like, hey, don't do this without someone else there with you.”

As the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaches, it’s important to be aware of your swimming skill level when around pools or large bodies of water. 

“As long as you can get on your back to float with your chin out of the water, that's the main thing," Gillespie said. "That's the one thing I put in all my adult classes. Keep your chin out of the water. That way the water doesn't go up and into your mouth.” 

The CDC’s report also recommended expanding access to swimming safety courses across the country. Swimming lessons at the Orange County YMCAs are year-round and residents can apply for the summer classes until June 17.