Goldfields children enjoy taste of junior lifeguarding

Royal Life Saving WA recently travelled to Kalgoorlie to showcase the Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) program at a development session at the Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre.

The JLC program provides opportunities for children to stay interested and active in aquatics through a unique alternative that is both challenging and valuable. The program is ideal for quick learners and those caught between levels and programs, enabling them to further develop their swimming skills while also learning lifesaving skills.

The session was held on Friday 13th May and offered an introduction to the program for local children as well as an opportunity to educate aquatic staff at the Oasis who will be running the program. 11 students currently participating in higher swimming stages were invited to attend the session along with six staff members who are looking to run the program at the centre.

The session was delivered by Royal Life Saving WA Endorsed Swim Schools Coordinator, Amy Vearing, who travelled to Kalgoorlie thanks to funding from our Principal Community Partner, BHP. “Running a Junior Lifeguard Club development session is a great way to showcase the potential of the program firsthand,” Amy says. “I had a great time working with the students and staff, giving them a taste of what the JLC program has to offer!”

If the Goldfields Oasis becomes a JLC centre and joins the Royal Life Saving WA network of Endorsed Swim Schools, they will be our 133rd Endorsed Swim School in WA and the 48th JLC centre across the state. The program will help to engage the community and entice more established swimmers to use the pool and learn valuable swimming and water safety skills.

Goldfields Oasis Swim School Team Leader Cody Watts said the development session was a great experience. “It was great to get a little snippet into the JLC. The team and I believe it is a massive benefit to all who are involved, and it is super fun – not only for the students, but also the teachers.”

Learn more about the Junior Lifeguard Club program and where you can find one near you at the link below!