State Rep. Wendell Gilliard has introduced a bill that requires most schools in South Carolina to provide swimming lessons.  It DOES have some stipulations, but based on the current wording, it appears that almost all school districts in the state would be part of this.  There have been a number of recent drownings recently here in the Lowcountry.  News 2 has reported on a number of those.

I’ve spoken with a number of others here at the station about swimming in general.  Whether or not you know how to swim often depends on how you grew up.  If you were exposed to water often, you (logically) are more likely to have more experience swimming. 

This bill, if it were to become law, would certainly expose more children to water safety and swimming in general.  It would also probably increase the market for swimming lessons in general.  The physical benefits of swimming would be a nice bonus. 

On the flip side, the economy is certainly not in the best shape right now.  School districts are talking about cuts of staff and possibly even teachers.  The total cost of something like this would need to be studied, but News 2 does not have any numbers to give you at this time.  It would seem like an expensive proposition. 

Then again, I would imagine the families of kids who don’t drown would think the money was well spent.

What do you think?  Let me know!  You can read a full copy of the bill below…

http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/local/article/bill_at_sc_statehouse_would_require_most_students_to_have_2_years_of_swimmi/33112/