On June 3, 2021, Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club hosted a water safety training for 4-H members at the Port Lavaca YMCA Pool led by Calhoun County Coastal & Marine Extension Agent, RJ Shelly, Calhoun County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Emilee DeForest and Matagorda County Coastal & Marine Extension Agent, Nicole Pilson.

Members first were fitted for a life jacket. They were then tasked to jump in the pool to see how the life jacket works in keeping their heads above the water to keep them safe. Shelly showed the participants how to throw a throwable PFD and use a kayak paddle to save their friends, instead of jumping in the water after them.

After these basic, but necessary, tasks were successfully completed by the participants, they were then able to learn how to paddle around in a kayak. Learning to kayak in the pool gave the 4-H members a unique opportunity to learn in a “controlled” environment. This helped them to gain the confidence needed to kayak around Boggy and Blind Bayou for the trips we take.

When the confidence levels were high enough, the 4-H members were then shown what to do if the kayak tips over or if they fall out of the kayak. The youth took turns practicing flipping the kayaks over and getting back in the seats.

Overall, the 4-H members had a great time while learning skills they will be able to use throughout their lives. Being safe on the water is always the #1 priority, and learning this at a young age will help to prevent future accidents.

This event was the first step in preparing this group of youth to have a safe and fun summer outdoors with the programs the Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club plans to have. These programs will include kayaking, fishing, crabbing, seining and other water/coastal related activities using equipment purchased with funding by the Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust.

To learn more about how to get involved in the Calhoun County 4-H program, contact Emilee DeForest at emilee.deforest@ag.tamu.edu, or log on to www.texas4-h.tamu.edu.