Albany trainer shares aquatic knowledge with peers

Royal Life Saving WA Community Trainer Clancy Jones recently led an aquatic professional development (PD) session for his peers in the Albany community.

The PD session, held at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on Sunday 9th October, was attended by local Royal Life Saving Aquatic Trainers and Swim Teachers. The session included both a wet and dry component, the latter focusing on water safety knowledge and recognising dangers around beaches, rivers and pools.

The water safety discussion was followed by a pool session covering safety and survival swimming, including group movement and survival techniques, with the group working together to simulate a survival swim at sea.

Clancy, a keen diver, was in his element while leading the training and was keen to share his knowledge and experience with attendees. Participants found the training to be a worthwhile experience and said they gained valuable knowledge from the session.

“I work as a full-time swim instructor and Duty Manager at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre; I also work as a dive master with South Coast Diving Supplies,” said Clancy. “When I’m not working, I’m usually diving and really enjoy showing divers the absolutely amazing underwater landscape that’s just below the surface off Albany.”

Clancy is also an Aquatic and First Aid Trainer through Royal Life Saving and enjoys seeing people grow their skills and confidence in his courses.

“The training course that I enjoy teaching the most would be the Bronze Medallion. It’s a great way to introduce potential new employees into the aquatic environment and provide them the opportunity to obtain and advance their skills, abilities, and confidence.”

Royal Life Saving regularly facilitates PDs for Community Trainers and hopes to expand on face-to-face sessions available in regional areas by collaborating with local trainers on the ground.

“It is great to be able to offer these sessions and engage local, qualified trainers to deliver them, especially in regional areas,” says Royal Life Saving Member Engagement Manager Francesca Amoroso.

“Aquatic Trainers and Swim Teachers are crucial advocates of the Royal Life Saving message; it is important they maintain currency in the industry but also to learn from each other and then share this knowledge amongst the community.”