Think You Know Water? 8 Water Facts That'll Change How You See It
Water shapes our lives in ways we often overlook. From ocean waves to lifeguards at the pool, every part of the water has a story. The more you know, the more confident you will feel when you jump in. Check out these eight water fun facts:
WATER POLO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TEAM SPORTS IN THE MODERN OLYMPICS!
Water polo, alongside seven other team sports, was chosen for introduction at the second modern Olympic games in 1900. Held in the Seine river, the Osborne Swimming Club of Manchester won first place.
In 2016, the United States women's senior national water polo team faced off against the Hungarian women’s national water polo team right here in our Olympic pool. Team USA won the match 11-6 and carried that momentum all the way to Brazil, where they earned an Olympic gold.
Our Greenwich Aquatics water polo team offers a year-round water polo program for ages 8 through high school. With our dedicated, experienced coaches and a top facility, we help players grow and excel in the sport.
Some of our athletes have earned spots on the youth national water polo team, competing in the Junior Olympics and the Pan American Games. Many go on to play for top NCAA programs. Some even advance to compete for senior national water polo teams, like Thomas Dunstan, who played for the senior men's national water polo team in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
SOME OF THE FIRST UNDERWATER GOGGLES WERE MADE OF TORTOISE SHELLS!
14th-century Persian pearl divers used polished tortoise shells to protect their eyes underwater. Today, most modern goggles are made of polycarbonate and silicone or rubber.
PROFESSIONAL DIVERS CAN HIT THE WATER AT SPEEDS OF AROUND 31.1 MPH!
During the preliminary round of the women’s 10m platform in the 2024 Olympics, China’s Quan Hongchan hit the water at just under 33 miles per hour.
At the YMCA of Greenwich, our Marlins Diving Club provides instruction for youth athletes at all levels. The program fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where athletes can learn, grow, and compete with confidence. Led by our USA Diving and AAU certified coaches, the program focuses on skill development, safety, and fun while offering opportunities to participate in local, regional, and national events, including the Olympic Trials, AAU Nationals, USA Nationals, and the YMCA Nationals. Many of our athletes continue their careers at top NCAA programs. For those new to the sport, we offer group lessons for ages 5 to 18. Each class includes both fitness training and water skills to build strength and coordination.
71% OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE IS COVERED IN WATER!
As a cornerstone of this coastal community, we believe it is essential to teach youth how to safely explore the world around them. Learning safe water skills opens up new growth opportunities and helps children feel included and empowered by the natural world.
This school year, we partnered with local elementary schools in the Greenwich Public School system to help assess the water safety skills of over 600 fourth-grade students. For those needing extra support, our Safety Around Water program offers free lessons to help them build essential skills to feel safe and confident in and around water.
The Safety Around Water program is a six-week course led by our certified, passionate instructors. Each session combines practical exercises with engaging activities designed to prevent drowning and teach essential water safety skills. By the end of the program, students leave the pool with more than just improved skills, but a sense of empowerment and the tools to make safe choices in and around water for life.
THE FIRST LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE U.S. WAS FOUNDED BY THE Y!
In 1912, the Y launched the National Lifesaving Service to improve community water safety. Two years later, the American Red Cross started its own program, which the YMCA of Greenwich proudly offers today.
Open to members and non-members, we offer the latest American Red Cross course curriculum in Lifeguarding, Water Safety Instruction, Waterfront, First Aid, CPR/AED (for both the Professional Rescuer and the lay responder), Connecticut Childcare, Babysitter’s Training, and more.
For teens under 15 ready to start their lifeguarding journey, we recently launched a new 6-week Lifeguard Skills and Drills course. In this hands-on learning environment, teens will strengthen their water safety skills, improve their swimming endurance, and master the fundamentals of lifeguarding.
THE SAILFISH IS THE WORLD’S FASTEST FISH AT SPEEDS UP TO 68 MPH!
Sailfish live in the tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and can grow up to 10 feet long. When their fins are folded back, their bodies turn torpedo-shaped as they speed toward their targets.
SWIMMING WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MODERN OLYMPIC SPORTS!
Swimming, alongside nine other sports, was chosen for the first modern Olympic games in 1896. The events took place in the Bay of Zea. Hungary won the most golds, taking first in the 100-meter and 1200-meter freestyle.
We believe everyone deserves the chance to learn to swim, regardless of age, ability, or background. As America’s most trusted swim instructor, we offer group, private, semi-private, and adaptive lessons to suit each learner, regardless of age, ability, or background, in a safe, supportive space.
We recently updated our popular youth Swim School program. Using a new stage-based approach, kids will build water skills and safety with age-appropriate techniques. As they move through each stage, young learners will gain confidence and become strong swimmers.
For youth looking for a competitive swim program, our Marlins Swim Team offers a year-round USA Swimming and YMCA program for swimmers ages 6 and up. Led by an experienced coaching staff with years of expertise and success, the team offers athletes a fun, exciting, and supportive environment to experience competitive swimming. The team competes in local, and national USA and YMCA meets, with many athletes advancing to top NCAA programs.
For adults looking for a competitive swim program, our Marlins Masters swim team offers year-round training. Open to swimmers of all skill levels, our dedicated coaches focus on improving endurance and technique across all four swim strokes. The team competes in local and national meets, including the annual YMCA National Masters Meet each spring.
MORE THAN HALF OF ALL AMERICANS CAN’T SWIM OR LACK BASIC WATER SAFETY SKILLS!
According to a 2022 American Red Cross survey, 54% of Americans either can't swim or do not have a strong understanding of essential water safety skills. Unfortunately, ten people lose their lives every day to unintentional drowning, which can occur almost anywhere there is standing water.
The YMCA of Greenwich reaffirms our commitment to promoting water safety through the launch of our spring water safety campaign. We are committed to ensuring everyone in our coastal community has the skills and confidence to enjoy the water safely, but we cannot do it alone. Your donations to our water safety campaign help ensure that everyone in our community has equitable access to essential swim education, safe aquatic programs, and the opportunity to enjoy the water with confidence.