DETROIT – Peter Vanderkaay cannot imagine life without being able to swim; especially living in Michigan, the great lakes state.
The three-time Olympian is spending his first Summer Games at home since 2004, but swimming is still very much a part of his life.
During the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Vanderkaay earned a gold medal as part of the 800 meter freestyle relay. In Beijing in 2008, he returned with a gold medal, again in the 800 meter freestyle relay and also a bronze in the 200 meter freestyle. He finished his swimming career at the Olympic games in London with a bronze medal in the 400 meter freestyle.
His focus on swimming has shifted, using his passion to help teach children in Detroit how to swim.
"The statistics are very real," Vanderkaay said. "Especially with kids in the city, seven out of 10 don't know how to swim. When I heard that I thought, there's something I have to do to get involved and I just want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn how."
Vanderkaay and his family have supported Detroit Swims since it began in 2010. The program, operated out of the Boll Family YMCA in Detroit, teaches children how to swim for free in the pool at the Y, Detroit schools, community centers and on Belle Isle.
The Olympian is a spokesperson for the program and does clinics with the children,
"I think for anyone teaching swim lessons, it's really fun because, a lot of times, kids have just a terrifying fear of learning to swim and whether they've known someone who has drowned or they've heard stories, a lot of them, the fear is really real," Vanderkaay said. "To see them come in with that mentality and then get a little more comfortable with it over the course of a few lessons and by the time they're done and water safe, it's all smiles and it's something, a skill they'll have the rest of their life."
Detroit Swims has taught 5,811 children how to swim so far. The goal is to teach 1,500 each year. Children receive free lessons, a swim suit and goggles.
Anthony Johnson, a Detroit Swims instructor, has seen a big impact with the program. Now the parents of children getting the lessons are in turn motivated to learn to swim.
"The kids are actually encouraging the parents to get in the water to learn how to swim, so it's actually the other way around. Instead of the parents got to encourage the kids are actually encouraging the parents," Johnson said.
Watch: Peter Vanderkaay discusses Detroit Swim program
"It's a generational issue; if your parents can't teach you, you're not going to be able to teach your kids. So we're trying to break that cycle," Vanderkaay said.
Johnson said Vanderkaay's involvement in the program matters to the kids.
"It's a big deal for the kids because he's actually putting on clinics and actually showing kids that you can also do, he has the drive to teach the kids to push themselves, don't say no, don't quit and as I can do it you can do it," Johnson said.
You can help
Detroit Swim, a nonprofit, relies on donations and volunteers. If you want to help, click here.
Vanderkaay is not competing in this year’s Olympics but he will be watching. During the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, stay tuned to Local 4 as Vanderkaay will be one of our experts when the competition begins in the pool.