Water Safety and Swimming Lessons

Arizona has passed a new law, recognized as House Bill 2019 (A.R.S. 15-249.19), which intends to help protect children from drowning, one of the leading causes of accidental death among young kids. This law aims to make water safety education more accessible and effective for families.

What the Law Requires

Starting this school year, all Arizona school districts and charter schools must:

Provide parents and guardians with an Arizona Department of Education-linked list of certified water safety or swimming lesson programs throughout Arizona in an effort to save lives.
Ensure these programs are comprehensive and ensure children learn essential swimming and water safety skills.

Why is this Important?

Drowning prevention: Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water can save lives.
Empowering families: Parents receive trusted resources to help them choose the right swimming lessons.
Community safety: The law promotes awareness and education, reducing water-related accidents across Arizona.

Sample Notification Letter to Parents of Newly Enrolled Students

ADE has provided a template letter of notification that may be used by School Districts and Charters to utilize when communicating this legislative requirement to newly enrolled students (as required per HB2019) and/or to include in annual student handbooks, as district and charter school governing boards and leadership teams see fit. Please see the PDF below for the template.

HB 2019 Sample Letter for Parents and Caregivers

Water Safety & Swimming Lesson Providers

Free or reduced price water safety & Swimming Lessons

Salt River Project (SRP) and Aquatic Centers - Free & Low-Cost Swim Lessons - Statewide

Other Regional Options

Every Child a Swimmer - Phoenix and surrounding areas AND GROWING!

Flagstaff Athletic Club Swim Lessons - Northern Arizona and surrounding areas

University of Arizona Youth Swim Lessons - Southern Arizona and surrounding areas

Valley of the Sun YMCA Safety Around Water - Phoenix and surrounding areas

Survival Swim - Connecting you to swimming instructors

Saguaro Aquatics - Serving Tucson and Pima County!

United States Swim School Association - Directory of swim schools

County Aquatic Center Options

Arizona County Aquatic Centers

County	Pools
Apache	St. John's Swimming Pool
Cochise	City of Douglas Aquatic Center The Cove Aquatic Center (Sierra Vista)
Coconino	Wall Aquatic Center (Northern Arizona University) Snow Sharks Swim Program
Gila	Globe Pool
Graham	City of Safford Community Pool
Greenlee	Morenci Swimming Pool
La Paz	Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center
Maricopa	Tempe Aquatics Chandler Aquatics City of Phoenix Aquatics City of Avondale Gilbert Aquatics Mesa Aquatics Town of Queen Creek Aquatic Center City of Goodyear
Mohave	Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center
Navajo	Show Low Aquatic Center
Pima	Pima County Pools Saguaro Aquatics
Pinal	Florence Aquatic Center Coolidge Aquatic Center Copper Sky Aquatics Center (City of Maricopa)
Santa Cruz	Nogales Parks and Recreation
Yavapai	Chino Valley Aquatic Center Cottonwood Aquatics Prescott Valley Aquatics
Yuma	Yuma County Aquatics