ATLANTA — When Chris Bridges — better known to his fans as the rapper Ludacris — was growing up, his mother made sure he knew how to swim.
Just like those who came before her.
“Swimming is generational,” said Roberta Shields, who also runs the Ludacris Foundation. “I’m blessed because my grandfather swam. His grandfather swam. It wasn’t a matter of if you’re learning to swim, but when.”
Far too many kids never get that message, especially in the African-American and Hispanic communities. The result: Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4, and ranks second only to car wrecks for those 5 to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
USA Swimming is hoping Ludacris and other celebrities can bring a little star power to its efforts to teach kids how to swim through the “Make A Splash” program — especially in an Olympic year, when there’s a lot more attention on one of the biggest sports at the Summer Games.
Judging from a recent clinic held in Atlanta, it’s clear that children are more impressed when someone they’ve heard through their headphones or seen in one of their favorite television shows.
“It’s a problem we wanted to bring to light and just do our part,” Ludacris told The Associated Press. “It starts in my home. I make sure my kids know how to swim. I swim.”
During a session at the Georgia Tech aquatic center, site of the 1996 Olympics, a group of youngsters squealed in unison when they found out they’d be getting a lesson from Blake Michael, who starred in the Disney Channel’s “Lemonade Mouth” and “Dog with a Blog.”
Sure, four-time Olympic medalist Cullen Jones was also there — “Make A Splash” is one of his passions — but the 19-year-old Michael was the one who really got the kids excited.
“Awesome!” 8-year-old Jasmin Flowers screamed out, when asked what it was like to get a lesson from someone she’s seen on television. “I watch his show all the time.”
Michael grew up in Atlanta and competed for the Dynamo Swim Club, one of the nation’s most prominent teams. He won several state titles before heading off to Hollywood.
“I didn’t even realize and I think most people have no idea how important this really is,” he said.
The following day, at the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home for abandoned and neglected children on Atlanta’s west side, Ludacris and singer-actress Keri Hilson were joined by Michael for another clinic.
Bridges changed into his swim trunks and hopped right into the pool, paddling his way around to each group as they worked with their assigned instructors.
Before he was done, he took on Jones in a race across the 25-yard pool. The kids cheered as Jones easily touched first, several seconds ahead of the 38-year-old rapper.
Of course, it didn’t really matter who won as long as everyone understood the real message: learning to swim is important, even if you’re not the fastest one in the water.
