By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District
In a coastal community like Capitola, the beach and ocean serve as more than just scenic backdrops. They are central to daily life. Families gather at the shoreline, children grow up watching the waves, and summer traditions often revolve around the water. Yet for many young students, access to professional swimming lessons has historically depended on family finances rather than their geographical location.
That reality is exactly what the Equity Swim Program, a collaboration between the Soquel Union Elementary School District (SUESD) and the City of Capitola, set out to change.
SUESD received a CSBA Golden Bell Award for the collaboration with the City of Capitola on the Equity Swim program, removing barriers to swim lessons and Junior Guards for young students regardless of background or family income level.
Last December, that partnership was formally recognized when Equity Swim received a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA), presented on Dec. 3, 2025. The award honors exemplary school programs throughout California that advance equity, safety, and student well-being. While the recognition is significant, those involved are quick to emphasize that the true measure of success is found not in accolades, but in the confidence and safety of young children who now feel more at home in the water.
At its core, Equity Swim is about opportunity. The program serves students in grades 1 through 3, a critical developmental window, who might not otherwise receive professional swimming instruction due to financial or logistical barriers. In a community where swimming proficiency can shape a child’s sense of belonging, safety, and social connection, early access matters.
For SUESD and the City of Capitola, the motivation to act came from a shared understanding. When access to foundational life skills is unequal, these inequities inevitably manifest in schools and communities. Swimming is not merely a recreational activity in a coastal town. It is a safety issue and a gateway to participation in community traditions such as the popular Junior Lifeguards program coordinated by the city.
By providing structured, professional swim lessons at no cost to families, Equity Swim helps level the playing field. Students receive instruction from experienced swim educators, build water confidence, learn essential safety skills, and develop a sense of belonging in a space that can otherwise feel intimidating or exclusionary.
Importantly, the program does more than teach children how to float or swim laps. It fosters social engagement, helping students build relationships with peers in an environment that promotes teamwork, encouragement, and mutual support. For many participants, the lessons represent their first formal exposure to swimming instruction and the first time they see themselves as capable and confident in the water.
The Golden Bell Award also recognizes something equally powerful. It highlights what can happen when local governing agencies work together with a shared purpose.
Equity Swim is jointly funded by the SUESD Board of Trustees and the Capitola City Council, with each entity committing half of the program’s cost. That shared investment sends a clear message that student safety, equity, and community inclusion are collective responsibilities.
At a time when public agencies often face difficult budget decisions, the sustained commitment to Equity Swim stands as a testament to thoughtful local leadership.
District leaders are particularly appreciative of the SUESD Board of Trustees, whose decision to allocate funds from the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) ensured the program’s continuation during fiscally challenging times. Expanded learning programs are designed to support students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical development beyond the traditional school day, and Equity Swim exemplifies that mission.
Equally deserving of gratitude is the Capitola City Council, whose continued partnership reflects a deep understanding of how city services and school systems intersect. The city’s role extends beyond funding. It includes logistical coordination, family outreach, and removing barriers such as transportation and language access. These details matter, and they make participation possible for families who might otherwise be excluded from opportunities.
Special thanks are also due to Nikki Bryant, the City of Capitola’s Community Services and Recreation Director. Her leadership and vision were instrumental in launching Equity Swim and sustaining its growth. By asking a simple but powerful question, Who does not currently have access to swim lessons and why, she helped spark a program that now serves as a model of equity-driven collaboration.
The results speak for themselves. Over the past several years, students entering the program with little or no swimming experience have made remarkable progress. Many participants progress from beginner to intermediate or advanced levels in a single season, and the vast majority go on to enroll in Junior Lifeguards through scholarship opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, students leave the program safer, more confident, and more connected to their community.
While the Golden Bell Award highlights past success, Equity Swim is very much a living, ongoing program. The next session is scheduled to begin on January 25, 2026, underscoring that this is not a one-time initiative, but a sustained commitment to students and families. Demand remains strong, and all available spots are filled, a clear indication that the program is meeting a real and meaningful need.
In reflecting on Equity Swim’s impact, one theme consistently emerges. Equity is not an abstract concept. It is made real through intentional decisions, shared funding, and partnerships that prioritize children’s well-being. In this case, it appears to be a first grader learning to float without fear, a second grader discovering confidence in the water, or a third grader feeling ready to participate fully in a community shaped by the ocean.
The Golden Bell Award belongs to everyone who made those moments possible. It belongs to the school board members who prioritized student safety, the city council members who invested in access and inclusion, the staff who coordinated logistics, and the families who entrusted the program with their children.
Equity Swim reminds us that when local agencies collaborate with purpose and care, the results ripple far beyond the pool. They strengthen communities, save lives, and ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive where they live.