August 20, 2026
Connecting water safety and healthy living
Operation Splash expands access to swimming lessons, water safety education, and healthy summer activities across Southern California.
Children jump into a pool during an Operation Splash swim lesson, building water confidence while learning essential safety skills.
With temperatures high this summer, Kaiser Permanente’s Operation Splash initiative awarded more than $600,000 in grants to support aquatic programs across Southern California. Recipients include the Desert Recreation District and the cities of Bakersfield, Riverside, San Bernardino, Chula Vista, Ventura, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles.
Operation Splash is a Kaiser Permanente Community Health initiative that helps people learn to swim and stay safe around water. The program focuses on preventing drowning and expanding access to swimming opportunities, especially in communities with limited resources. Since 2006, Operation Splash has helped nearly 330,000 children, teens, and adults through swimming lessons, water safety classes, and recreational swimming opportunities offered with local parks and recreation agencies.
Helping more families learn to swim safely
Operation Splash supports free or reduced-cost swim lessons, water safety education, swim passes, and junior lifeguard training for qualified youth ages 10 to 17. Junior Lifeguard programs teach water rescue and safety skills, build confidence, develop leadership, and introduce youth to career pathways in aquatics and public safety.
“Learning how to swim is an important life skill that can help prevent drowning and keep families safe around water,” said Danielle Flowers, MD, a pediatrician at the Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center. “Swimming is also a fun way for children and adults to stay active during the summer.”
More than a swim program
The program also incorporates Kaiser Permanente’s Rethink Your Drink campaign. The campaign encourages people to choose water instead of sugary drinks, especially during the hot summer months.
Through Operation Splash, Kaiser Permanente works with local recreation centers and communities across Southern California to help more people learn to swim, stay active, and stay safe around water.
