RLSSWA swimming instructor Hannah Munro with some of her students in Leinster

Leinster children build swimming confidence ahead of carnival

Royal Life Saving WA recently sent swimming instructor Hannah Munro to the Goldfields community of Leinster to conduct two swimming programs for local children.

The Infant Aquatics and Swim and Survive programs ran from 21st to 24th March at the Leinster Swimming Pool, with the lessons also used to prepare the school-aged children for the Swimming and Lifesaving carnival held on the Friday of that week. 

“The recent swim program in Leinster was very successful,” said Leinster Village Manager Brodie Smith. “The teacher was very engaging with the kids and parents. You could definitely see the kids’ progress with a week of swim classes.”

A total of 35 school-aged children participated in the Swim and Survive lessons, as well as nine infants from as young as six months who participated with their parent or carer in the Infant Aquatics program. Instructor Hannah thoroughly enjoyed her visit to Leinster, saying, “I’m so grateful to meet new students and teach them. I loved each moment and how the children gained so much confidence within the four days!” 

Programs such as these, delivered by a FIFO instructor, enable those in regional communities to receive valuable swimming lessons and learn how to be safe in, on and around the water. The Leinster programs were made possible thanks to funding from principal community partner BHP and, as there is no qualified instructor currently in the community, were highly valued by the town's children who may have otherwise missed out.

“It is great to be able to offer these lessons to the Leinster community,” says Royal Life Saving WA Endorsed Swim Schools Coordinator Amy Vearing. “Each program allows the participants to gain more swimming and water safety education, allowing them to participate in fun things like the Swimming and Lifesaving carnival.”

Read more about our work supporting swimming and water safety education across the Goldfields region at the link below.