When he was 10 years old, ‘Fast and Furious’ actor Sung Kang nearly drowned in a lake; motivated by that traumatic event, he learned to swim and eventually became a competitive swimmer.
Today Kang, 51, is lending his voice to encourage Caymanians to get behind the Swim Free programme, set up by the Flowers family, which aims to give local kids the opportunity to learn to swim at no cost.
“I came to the Cayman Islands to participate in the Flowers swim free programme… this is a wonderful programme where there is awareness raised for local children who are at risk of drowning every year. This is oddly very personal to me, because I [nearly] drowned as a young child,” Kang told the Cayman Compass in an emailed statement.
The Swim Free programme, which was launched last month to coincide with the annual Flowers Sea Swim, is set to roll out in schools in the fall. It will see students get free swim lessons and access to a mobile pool, an initiative that was driven by the Flowers family.
Kang, who was on island for the programme launch and the sea swim, reflected that if a programme like Swim Free was available in his neighbourhood, “it would have saved my family so much trauma from that drowning incident”.
He said his visit to the Cayman Islands was “incredible”.
“The Caymankind motto is true because everywhere I go I feel loved and welcomed and blessed to be here. Having the great honor to participate in this year’s Flowers Swim Free event, in many ways represents a ‘Full Circle’,” he said.
Recounting his experience as a child nearly drowning in a local lake, Kang said he could not help but wonder if he would’ve been spared that harrowing event if he had access to the Swim Free programme, including the innovative mobile pool designed and created here.
“This tragic event left my family paralyzed emotionally and financially. This planted a drive in me to learn to swim. My life changed forever being a swimmer. The community of positive influences and competitive spirits prepared me for the real world. Swimming taught me the necessity of consistency and importance of repetition,” he said.
Kang said it also taught him the importance of having “a love affair for what you’re doing, then it’s not so hard. It’s a love story with your passion.”
He said he used these lessons in his pursuit of a career in Hollywood.
“It was just a dream at first… But I dove in head first, kept a smooth pace… And enjoy ‘swimming’ through a blessed life. I leave the Cayman Islands with great gratitude. I’ve got to experience a glimpse in a beautiful community with so many amazing people. I am forever grateful. Thank you for giving me a purpose,” he added.
Filmmaker Frank E. Flowers Jr., who is spearheading the Swim Free initiative, told the Compass via Zoom recently that, apart from creating access to resources, the programme is going to ensure water safety is ingrained in local students and helps prevent drownings.
The educational component of the swim safety curriculum, proposed by the Swim Free team, is being vetted by the Department of Education Services.
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