06/24/2026
Since 1909, the YMCA has been teaching one of life's most important skills: how to swim. π
That year, George Corsan introduced a revolutionary group teaching method at the Detroit YMCA as part of a campaign to teach "every man and boy in North America to swim." The approach transformed swim instruction and laid the foundation for the group swim lessons we know today.
This historic photo captures those early YMCA swim classes. While a lot has changed over the last 117 years, the Y's commitment to helping people learn, grow, and thrive in and around the water remains the same.
Tomorrow, we'll be part of history once again as we join communities around the world for the World's Largest Swim Lesson. π Learn more about the day's activities and how YMCA branches across Greater Cincinnati are participating.
π myy.org/worlds-largest-swim-lesson/