Safe Swim class at Wings Over Water Honors Oscar Gonzalez.

Last Labor Day the Brewster community was shocked and saddened to learn that a local 14 year old youth had drowned in Lake Tonetta. Oscar Gonzalez was all set to start his Freshman year of High School at Brewster High School when, at a late summer party he fell off a raft in Tonetta Lake and drowned. Oscar had never learned to swim.

 This past Saturday February 9th, The Brewster Lions Club and Wings Over Water swim School owner Edie Flood held the first Safe Swim lesson at the swimming school on Route 22. The event was spearheaded by Jack Duncan and his wife Debbie, who knew Oscar form HH Wells Middle School where she is a teacher’s assistant, “He was a great kid. He had such potential. Oscar was a gentleman at the age of 14. I will never forget him.” She then convinced the school system to hold an informal poll of students in the Middle and High School asking them if they could swim. Her Husband Jack, a longtime resident and veteran got on board with the Lions Clubs and Wings over Water owner Edie Flood and her daughter Therese. After 16 students responded to the poll stating they had never learned to swim, the Duncans and Flood decided to offer the safe swim class sponsored by the Lions Club.  As several area youth sat around listening to instructor Flood as she explained the four principles of swimming: Breathing, buoyancy, balance and posture and told the students, “Work through your fear. You are never too old to learn how to swim. Just the other day we instructed a 98-year-old man who desired to learn.” “Swimming can be a an enjoyable, safe experience once you become adjusted to the water”.

 Jack Duncan remembered Oscar as “A well liked, wonderful student, a boy who I know would have become someone very special. “ he also added ”Thanks to the School system and their poll we now know there are at least 16 kids in our community that have never learned to swim. Actually the number is probably double that and that’s what we are trying to change. There are hundreds of small lakes, streams and other water sources in our community. Every one should know how to swim”.  Duncan is working with his Brewster Lions Club and Lions International to possibly secure grant monies so that Wings Over Water and the Brewster Lions can continue to provide swimming lessons to area disadvantaged youth.

 If you wish to donate so that the Safe Swim program can continue you are encouraged to call Jack Duncan at 845-612-4551.