Matt McCall, Aquatics Director at Reston Community Center, presented testimony to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors during the proclamation hearing recognizing May as Water Safety Month.

As families across Fairfax County return to pools, lakes and other water activities during the warmer months, county leaders are emphasizing safety, prevention and preparedness.

By recognizing May as Water Safety Month, Chairman Jeff McKay and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors reinforced an important message: water safety is not just seasonal. It is a shared responsibility.

Reston Community Center, in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority, plays a vital role in advancing water safety across the county. Through well-managed facilities, strong aquatics programming, public education and shared safety standards, the two organizations are helping build a safer and better-prepared community.

At RCC and Park Authority pools, water safety is a daily commitment reflected in the instructors, lifeguards and aquatics professionals who serve the community.

RCC’s year-round learn-to-swim program reaches residents of all ages and backgrounds. Each summer, RCC also removes financial barriers by offering free beginner swimming lessons for children, reinforcing the belief that learning to swim is not a luxury but a life skill.

That mission is carried forward by instructors such as Alfred Toussaint, whose calm presence and skill in the water help students build confidence and trust. Families see their children making progress and feel reassured knowing they are learning in capable, caring hands.

Water safety also supports lifelong health and wellness. RCC’s aquatics program includes aqua fitness classes that give older adults a safe, low-impact way to stay active. Under the leadership of Dory Traynham, these classes have grown into a true community that improves mobility, supports better health outcomes and builds meaningful connections beyond the pool.

Training those on the front lines of safety is equally important. RCC is one of the region’s leading lifeguard training providers, certifying more than 300 individuals each year. Under the leadership of Sophie Kartchner, future lifeguards are trained in technical skills, responsibility, sound judgment and the confidence to act when every second matters.

While programs and professionals are essential, water safety belongs to everyone. It is practiced through everyday choices: knowing personal limits, swimming with a buddy, wearing a life jacket when appropriate, watching children closely and understanding that drowning is often silent.

Because of Fairfax County’s leadership, the strong partnership between RCC and the Park Authority and the dedication of aquatics professionals like Alfred, Dory, Sophie and hundreds of others, residents are safer, more confident and better prepared around the water.

That impact reaches far beyond May, saving lives and strengthening our community.