The SWFL Rotary Club announced the first cohort of its free infant and toddler water-safety program graduated on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. The eight-week course, which began Monday, August 8, 2025, and met weekly at 9:30 a.m., was designed to help Babcock Ranch families build essential water-safety skills for their youngest swimmers.
Five local families participated, with children ranging from 5 months to 2 years old. The classes were led by Ted Dural, a professional swim instructor and Babcock Ranch resident, in partnership with the SWFL Rotary Club, which fully sponsored the program so families could attend at no cost.
“Teaching babies and toddlers to respect the water while giving parents practical tools is one of the most impactful things we can do in a waterfront community,” said Ted Dural, professional swim instructor. “By introducing survival fundamentals—like calmly rolling to a back float—kids learn to ‘float like an otter’ and buy precious time until help arrives.”
Throughout the program, Dural incorporated lessons from Josh the Baby Otter, a nationally recognized water-safety book and education program that helps young children remember three core rules: stay away from water unless with an adult, learn to swim with a grown-up, and float like an otter. The SWFL Rotary Club has long championed the Josh the Otter curriculum across Southwest Florida as part of its community safety initiatives…