Crime & Safety

There's a Fin Heading Toward People on the Beach

San Diego lifeguards will be asking people to "fill the fin" on beaches to raise money for swim lessons and aquatic safety programs for inner city youth.

San Diego lifeguards will be walking the beaches through Aug. 19 asking people to “fill the fin”—meaning throw any cash or loose change into a swimming fin they will be carrying with them. The city kicked off the fundraiser at La Jolla Cove on Aug. 11.

Proceeds from this first-ever Fill the Fin fundraiser, sponsored by the San Diego Lifesaving Association, will go toward funding swim and aquatic safety lessons at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in southeast San Diego.

In San Diego, drowning is the leading cause of non-natural death among children under 5, according to San Diego Council President Tony Young's office.

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“Even one incident of drowning is one too many,” Young said.

The cost of a child’s swimming lesson at the YMCA is $50.

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“I think that’s $50 well spent,” Young said.

According to Young, the drowning rate for black and Hispanic children is three times higher.

Lifeguard Sgt. Ed Harris said San Diego lifeguards make approximately 6,000 rescues each year.

“We’re not everywhere. … People need to learn how to be safe,” Harris said.

To donate to the “Fill the Fin” fundraiser, you can give money to a lifeguard with a fin or sponsor a swim lesson on the YMCA website.


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