Dozens of children stopped by the Madison Square Boys and Girls club to learn about water safety from an Olympic swimmer.

Olympian Maritza McClendon, the first black woman to represent the United States on the USA Swimming team, was on hand to teach kids basic swimming skills like floating and breathing while in the water.

The workshop was put together by Sigma Gamma Rho. The international sorority hosts hundreds of swimming workshops all over the country in an effort to reduce drowning deaths in the African-American community since studies show it is a population most at risk.

Participants say attending the event was both an honor and a necessity.

The classes are free and open to the public.