Report by: Regina Mobley of WVEC

A group of youngsters have found a way to spend their summer staying cool, having fun, and staying fit by learning to swim.

The Carolanne Farm Swim Club in Kempsville, and instructor Leslie Paul, have opened their arms to some 200 youngsters from the Oak Leaf Forest neighborhood in Norfolk and four neighborhoods in Virginia Beach.

For 45 minutes a day for five days the children are learning a skill that's literally for life.

"It is just amazing to see the break-through, come day two or day three of the swim lessons,” said Paul. “Monday they are usually very afraid and by Wednesday, yesterday was a major break-through."

Swimming is the ultimate aerobic exercise; for the young and young at heart, but fitness is not the main reason Paul formed RAPS, or Really Awesome People Swimming.            

The program reaches out to children who otherwise would not have access to a pool and expert instructions.

“It’s more than a matter of fun. It could mean a matter of life or death,” said Paul. “Minority children between the ages of five and nineteen have 3.2 times the drowning rate of any other sector in the United States. So, there is a real need to offer swim lessons to everyone, but especially to the minority children.”

Family members watched with pride as youngsters showed off their new skills.

“The progress is wonderful,” said Oakleaf Forest Chaplain Juanita Crocker. “I just love the program; seeing them enthused about it. They're very excited.”