It also encourages bonding as a result. But too many times, parents become overwhelmed with trying to help their children navigate a successful academic course. So making their children learn how to swim is the last thing on many parents' minds. Which is why it wouldn't hurt to nudge them with a swimming and water safety requirement. It wouldn't hurt because in this area, swimming, boating and other water sports are leisure religions.
People can avoid being around water, if they want to risk boredom or being branded antisocial.
Because of that, even non-swimmers will attend a pool party. Or a beach barbecue. Or cruise the St. Johns on the Annabelle Lee. Or take a ferry to Cumberland Island. And sometimes, as in Bartlett's case, business may require them to board a boat.