Merriwa and Cannington children learn to Swim and Survive

Royal Life Saving WA is determined to ensure all Western Australians have an opportunity to learn vital swimming and water safety skills, enabling them to safely participate in the aquatic activities that are such a popular part of our lifestyle. Unfortunately for many who’ve arrived in Australia from overseas these skills are not something they have learned in their homeland which leaves them at a real risk of drowning.

The recent Royal Life Saving WA Drowning Report for 2018/19 found that 41% of the 29 fatal drownings in our state during that period involved people who were born overseas. Of these, 75% were from a non-English speaking background.

As we work to reduce these figures our Endorsed Swim Schools at Cannington Leisureplex and The Swim School WA Merriwa are hosting special learn to swim programs this term for children from multicultural backgrounds. 50 school-aged children at both locations are learning vital Swim and Survive skills that will help them to safely participate in aquatic activities with their friends and family during the upcoming Spring and Summer months.

The program is running after school for nine weeks, with the children taught by qualified Swim and Survive instructors. It has been made possible through funding provided by the WA Department of Health as part of the Swim and Survive Access and Equity program.

You can find out more about Access and Equity and the work we do with at-risk communities across Western Australian by visiting the link below.