Multicultural men learn to Swim and Survive at Cannington

In the past 5 years there have been 50 drowning deaths in WA involving members of our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) community, accounting 37% of all drowning deaths. People who are born in other parts of the world often don’t benefit from the emphasis on swimming and water safety education we see here in Australia, making them far more vulnerable to drowning in our water loving state.

Reducing these statistics and providing swimming and water safety education to all communities has long been a focus of Royal Life Saving Society WA, with programs for CaLD women and children engaging with thousands of people each year. However, providing specific programs for men from CaLD backgrounds has been a challenge.

Late last year our first ever Men’s Only Swim and Survive Program launched at Cannington Leisureplex, and was immediately a success! During Term One this year this program has been expanded, running for a full 8 week term and proving very popular.

The program has seen around 30 men from a variety of cultures take part, attending classes in the late afternoon to fit around their work and family schedules. The men have thoroughly enjoyed the program as they’ve developed their swimming and water safety skills and knowledge, enabling them to feel more comfortable to safely engage in water based activities.

With the program still in its very early stages Royal Life Saving would like to thank Kaysha Gardner, the Swim School Coordinator at Cannington Leisureplex, and Chloe Were-Spice, the Swim School Customer Service Assistant, who have both been incredibly supportive and flexible in making this program happen. They have long been strong advocates for the Swim and Survive Access and Equity program, seeing the benefit it provides for members of their local CaLD community.

The Men’s Only Swim and Survive program at Cannington will continue in Term Two, with registrations available now. Click the link below to request further information.