Darlene Haskins, Executive Director
©Glessner Photography
This passion really began when I first started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor in high school. I went on to obtain my Early Childhood Education certificate, operated a large in-home preschool, and taught in a variety of facilities including, my favorite, a Montessori school. During this time, I continued to lifeguard and teach swimming at the YMCA. I was asked by several families if there were any ISR instructors in the area - it became apparent that there was a desire for something more than the mommy and me classes available. After researching ISR, I applied to become an instructor, was accepted in 2013, and trained in 2014. From there, I established Safe Swim NC, now one of the Triad's leading providers of swim lessons and safety training.
Through ISR, I became increasingly educated on water safety and drowning statistics and have become a strong advocate for survival swim lessons and educating on the layers of drowning prevention. I soon recognized amongst the families I taught a need for safety training and swim lessons for parents and older siblings and obtained my American Red Cross Instructor Certification for Water Safety/Swim and CPR/First Aid/AED Adult and Pediatric. Wanting to further my efforts in our community and beyond, I launched the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Hand in Hand Water Safety Awareness Foundation, with the mission to equip all people with survival swimming skills and water safety best practices to prevent drowning-related accidents.
Through ISR, I became increasingly educated on water safety and drowning statistics and have become a strong advocate for survival swim lessons and educating on the layers of drowning prevention. I soon recognized amongst the families I taught a need for safety training and swim lessons for parents and older siblings and obtained my American Red Cross Instructor Certification for Water Safety/Swim and CPR/First Aid/AED Adult and Pediatric. Wanting to further my efforts in our community and beyond, I launched the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Hand in Hand Water Safety Awareness Foundation, with the mission to equip all people with survival swimming skills and water safety best practices to prevent drowning-related accidents.
