Goldfish Swim School has opened a new location in Lexington. Located at 932 North Lake Drive, the facility offers swim lessons for children ages 4 months to 12 years.

The school features highly trained instructors, small class sizes and 90-degree shiver-free pools. Families can enroll their children at any time and have flexible scheduling options including make-up classes.

Parents can watch lessons from an air-conditioned viewing gallery, and the facility includes private changing rooms, a snack bar, a retail shop and a blow-dry station. The school also offers family swims, party packages and free water safety presentations.

“We understand how important water safety is to Lexington-area families and we are thrilled to bring the Goldfish curriculum, high-quality instruction and state-of-the-art facility to families in this community,” Goldfish Swim School South Carolina regional manager Tiffany Keyser said. “Our team wants to ensure that all children have a safe, fun and friendly place to learn this life-saving skill.”

According to the American Red Cross, drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, with about 4,000 fatalities annually.

Experts say learning how to swim and having access to water safety training can reduce drowning rates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drowning deaths have increased in recent years. More than 4,500 people drowned from 2020 to 2022, an increase of 500 deaths compared to 2019.

A study found that nearly 40 million adults in the United States cannot swim and 54.7% of respondents have never taken a swimming lesson.

Experts say swimming lessons and water safety training reduce the risk of drowning and improve emergency preparedness. The CDC recommends learning basic swimming and water safety skills, wearing a life jacket when needed and knowing CPR to help prevent drowning.

Individuals and families can register for swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School Lexington by calling 803-868-5911 or visiting goldfishswimschool.com/lexington.

Goldfish Swim School was founded by Chris and Jenny McCuiston with the first franchise location opening in 2009. The company has since expanded to more than 150 schools across North America.