At risk Cannington girls take the plunge into synchronised swimming

It was a fun week last week at Cannington Leisureplex, with 25 girls participating in a first of its kind Swim and Survive program incorporating synchronized swimming! Royal Life Saving Society WA partnered with SupaNova Synchronised Swimming Club to offer the five day girls only school holiday program for children in the Cannington area.

The girls participating came from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities and are involved in our Swim and Survive Access and Equity program, which teaches at-risk children vital Swim and Survive skills. Statistics show that people from CaLD backgrounds are drastically over-represented in drowning deaths. On average over the last 5 years 36% of people who drowned in our state were born overseas, and 58% of these were from a non-English speaking background.

Last week’s program saw the girls complete a 45 minute Swim and Survive lesson, learning basic swimming and water safety skills, followed by a 45 minute introduction to Synchronised Swimming lesson.

Royal Life Saving Society WA Inclusion Coordinator Jessica Cruickshank says the program was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. “We wanted to offer these girls a chance to not just learn the important swimming skills they need to stay safe in the water, but an opportunity to participate in something a little bit different that will encourage them to stay active. They’ve all had a great time and their smiles said it all!”

Royal Life Saving appreciates the support of SupaNova Synchronised Swimming Club in this program and looks forward to offering similar programs across the metro area in the future.

Girls and boys interested in Synchronised Swimming can also take part in free lessons all around Perth throughout January Synchro WA and Healthway. For more details click the link below.