Ocean Racers Blog

Thanks to a recent fundraiser, Vamos Ocean Racers partnered with Vamos Youth and Asociación Un Corazón Más Para Cristo to sponsor 12 children for three weeks of swim lessons in Brasilito. The program built water confidence, taught essential swim safety skills, and strengthened community ties.

Why this matters: drowning prevention in Costa Rica

Drowning is the second-highest cause of accidental death in Costa Rica. Teaching children to swim is a proven, cost-effective way to reduce drowning risk. As a community of ocean lovers, Vamos Ocean Racers is committed to using our expertise to keep local kids safe.

Program highlights

• 12 children sponsored for a 3-week swim program in Brasilito. 
• Instruction in water safety, basic strokes, and confidence-building. 
• Sessions held at Patagonia Del Mar’s beautiful pool, generously provided at no cost. 
• Vamos Ocean Racers volunteers supported instructors from Vamos Youth, sharing passion and hands-on assistance.

Thank you to our partners and volunteers

We are deeply grateful to:

• Our generous donors for making sponsorships possible. 
• Patagonia Del Mar for access to their pool and ongoing support. 
• Our Vamos Ocean Racers volunteers for their time, energy, and encouragement — their involvement was invaluable to the instructors and children.

Next steps: creating a sustainable, year-round program

The pilot’s success has inspired us to scale this into a sustainable, year-round program offering free swim lessons to the Brasilito community. Our goals:

• Expand class capacity and frequency. 
• Train more local instructors and volunteers. 
• Secure ongoing funding to ensure lessons remain free for families in need.

How you can help 

Join us in turning passion into protection. Sponsor a child, volunteer as an instructor or helper, or donate to help scale this lifesaving program.

• Sponsor a child: https://vamos.smartbill.cr/checkout/SB1WCL44USaCSbhLemON00rt5y4ANJVzcT 
• Volunteer with Vamos Ocean Racers
• Questions or partnerships: info@vamosyouthcr.com 

Together, we can reduce drowning in Costa Rica and give children a skill that lasts a lifetime. Thank you for supporting Vamos Ocean Racers and Vamos Youth — join the cause and help us keep our community safe in the water.

Special thanks to Deli Café for treating the group after their last swim lesson.