Children in Merriwa and Midland learn to Swim and Survive

Swimming and water safety education is vital for all members of the Western Australian community, but sadly there are still many across WA who don’t have these important skills. Recent drowning statistics show that 40% of those who drowned in our state over a recent ten-year period were born overseas, largely due to low participation in swimming lessons and water safety programs.

As Royal Life Saving WA works with local communities to ensure everyone has access to these vital skills, we’re pleased to have been able to assist 66 multicultural children to take part in subsidised Swim and Survive swimming and water safety programs in Merriwa and Midland this term.

The programs have been run in partnership with the Edmund Rice Centre WA, on Wednesday afternoons at The Swim School WA Merriwa, and Thursday afternoons at Swan Active Midland. Children between the ages of 4 and 17 years have taken part, learning vital skills to safely enjoy the Western Australian lifestyle.

The program has been made possible thanks to funding from Principal Community Partner BHP, whose support of our Swim and Survive Access and Equity program is vital in enabling Royal Life Saving WA to engage with at-risk communities right across the state.

You can find out more about the Access and Equity program at the link below.

N.B. – the image above was taken in early March prior to social distancing practises being put in place due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.