Coconino News

Northern Arizona University (NAU), in partnership with LEARFIELD's NAU Lumberjack Sports Properties and Arizona Complete Health, has introduced the NAU Swim Buddies program. This initiative aims to equip members of the Flagstaff community with essential swim skills. The program focuses on providing swimming lessons to both parents and children to enhance water safety awareness.

The AquaJacks, NAU's on-campus swim instruction team, will conduct the lessons. Additionally, NAU Swim and Dive student-athletes will support participants by offering encouragement via weekly emails and attending select lessons. The program's objective is to address the pressing need for water safety education, while also offering families the opportunity to learn and bond.

Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion, an NAU swim towel, among other items, acknowledging their hard work.

"Positive and supportive engagement with the communities we serve, especially in our home community of Flagstaff is a key strategic priority for NAU. We are especially proud of this partnership with its focus on the wellbeing and safety of the parents and children who live here – teaching them essential life safety water skills," stated President José Luis Cruz Rivera.

"The partnership with Arizona Complete Health has always been strong and critical to NAU Athletics, we are beyond grateful to team up on something so special and important to the Flagstaff community and look forward to watching the Swim Buddy program bring water safety education to Northern Arizona," commented Interim Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Uri Farkas.

"Our mission is transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time," said Martha Smith, Arizona Complete Health Plan President. The program offers "an opportunity for exercise and critical water safety skills," she added.

Todd Wyard, General Manager of NAU Lumberjack Sports Properties, remarked, "The NAU Swim Buddies program represents the power of collaboration and community. By bringing together NAU Athletics, Arizona Complete Health, and the AquaJacks, we're creating an environment where families can learn essential swim skills together, build confidence, and stay safe in the water."

The program will take place on Saturday mornings in March 2025 at the NAU Wall Aquatic Center. It is open to elementary and junior high youth, along with their parents or guardians, residing in specific Flagstaff neighborhoods.

Northern Arizona University, founded in 1899, serves nearly 28,000 students with a focus on community engagement and research. NAU Athletics, a member of the Big Sky Conference, is with 15 NCAA Division I programs. Arizona Complete Health, a Centene Corporation company, manages health benefits through various programs and is the Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Northern and Southern Arizona.