WNBA star Alana Beard to host swim safety event

WNBA star and Louisiana native Alana Beard will host a four-day educational swim safety event at the Broadmoor YMCA, 215 Carroll St., July 25-28. Beard will participate in the swim program with children 7-12 years old from 9 to 10 a.m. each day. On Monday, the event will also include an out of water safety demonstration from the Shreveport Fire Department from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

“Swimming and water safety are important skills every kid should know, and unfortunately they are often ignored,” Beard said. “I realize I have a lot to learn and I am beyond excited to learn with the kids to show them that learning water skills is important at all ages.  Anything I can do to help prevent a tragedy in this community, and all communities, is important to me. We must understand it is never too late to learn and I hope that families will be inspired to help their children acquire the skills to safely enjoy swimming and water sports.”

A member of the WNBA’s LA Sparks, Beard wants to use her position as a professional athlete to show the community that water safety is important, regardless of your age or athleticism. A tragedy in 2010 where six teens drowned in Shreveport’s Red River sparked Beard’s passion for water safety. From that point on, she has wanted to host an event emphasizing its importance.

The event has been planned with the support and guidance of the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, USA Swimming Foundation and the American Red Cross. All of the organizations provided input and helped identify the most effective way for Beard to make a difference in this community. After this event, Beard plans to participate in USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative, a national child-focused water safety campaign, which aims to provide the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim. Through Make a Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn-to-swim providers and water safety advocates across the country and has given over $4 million dollars in grants to provide 4 million children swimming lessons.