We decided to share this article with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. Grand Bahama 242 News published this article by Barbara Walkin on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
By BARBARA WALKIN
barbara@barefootmarketing.net
The plane crash on Election Day has renewed discussion about a life-saving skill many Bahamian adults are lacking; how to swim.
A Grand Bahama native who survived the crash revealed during an international interview that one of her greatest fears throughout the ordeal was that she could not swim. Her story has prompted the YMCA to highlight the importance of adult swim education and water survival training.
YMCA Executive Director Karon Pinder-Johnson told Around da Islands, “The interview with the lady said the plane fell in the water and she didn’t know how to swim. We wanted to do something on it to let people know that the Y has a programme, and that it’s important, even if they just learn the basics, the floating and survival aspect.”
Ms Pinder-Johnson notes the organisation’s Adult Learn-to-Swim programme is designed for people of all experience levels; from complete beginners to former swimmers looking to regain confidence in the water.
“We have persons who will be learning to swim for the first time, and we have persons who are reintroducing themselves to swimming, and then you have persons who are swimmers and just want to use it as recreation for themselves,” Mrs Pinder-Johnson said. “So, our adult learning-to-swim is going well.”
The programme is held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., after children’s activities have ended, giving adult participants a comfortable learning environment.
Mrs Pinder-Johnson said the crash survivor’s account underscores why even basic swimming and floating skills are essential. Noting that fear often becomes overwhelming when individuals have little or no understanding of how to respond in the water.
“That was her greatest fear,” Mrs Pinder-Johnson said. “After the aircraft hit the ocean, she couldn’t swim. Her fear factor just went through the roof.”
Photo: BARBARA WALKIN
While no one can control the ocean or the circumstances of an emergency, she emphasised that learning simple survival techniques can make a significant difference.
“You can’t fight with the ocean, you can’t fight with water,” she said. “But if you learn to relax, your body will float. It’s as simple as that. Just to relax.”
The YMCA’s adult swim classes focus on building confidence gradually, helping participants overcome fears and develop essential water safety skills. Instruction is led by Coach Ashton Knowles, whom Mrs Pinder-Johnson described as highly experienced in teaching adults.
“Coach Knowles is very knowledgeable and versed in teaching adults how to swim,” she said. “Taking adults from not wanting the water to touch their faces to swimming laps.”
The classes are conducted in an adult-only environment, which many participants find encouraging.
“You don’t have the kids around, and it’s an adult environment,” Mrs Pinder-Johnson added. “Then they make it fun.”
Photo: BARBARA WALKIN
The YMCA hopes the recent tragedy serves as a reminder that learning to swim is not only a recreational skill but also a potentially life-saving one. Even mastering basic floating, breathing, and survival techniques can increase confidence and improve safety around water.
Registration for the program is $15, and lessons are $10 per class. Applications are available at the YMCA.
In addition to the YMCA programme, another swimming initiative is being offered this summer by certified swim coach Tiffany Sweeting-Smith, of Mrs Tiffany’s Learn to Swim Programme. Sessions begin June 22 to August 1 at the Bishop Michael Eldon School (BMES) pool.
Mrs Sweeting-Smith said the programme offers two sessions on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and from 12 to 1 p.m. “Each session is $25 per person per hour.”
Registration is open and interested persons can contact Mrs Tiffany at tlsweetingsmith@hotmail.com or Mrs Tiffany’s Learn to Swim on Facebook.