Multicultural women learn vital swimming skills

Royal Life Saving WA partnered with the Metropolitan Migrant Recourse Centre to deliver a Swim and Survive program for 32 women at The Swim School Wangara during the September school holidays.

The Royals provide programs that are culturally appropriate to ensure these women who are at high risk can learn to swim in a safe and comfortable environment. The Swim School Wangara is a private facility and has 2 experienced female instructors teaching these women how to Swim and Survive.

Recent data indicates that migrant and multicultural people are largely over-represented in drowning data, with 40% of drowning deaths over the past ten years in WA involving people who were born overseas.

In 2017-18, Royal Life Saving WA has seen 696 adults participate in our Swim and Survive program, with 623 of these being women. We hope to build on this number and reach as many multicultural communities as possible.

One of the classes at Wangara was for mothers and daughters only, further ensuring the women feel safe and comfortable as for some of the women this is the first opportunity they've had to learn how to swim.

Drowning is a risk especially for migrant women, for whom there is not only a lack of understanding about the importance of swimming and water safety education, but the added barrier of cultural modesty requirements which make many regular swimming venues unsuitable for them.

The Royals, in partnership with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, has been conducting women only lessons at a variety of locations across Perth.

The program is funded through our Royal Life Saving Access and Equity program, which is supported by Principal Community partner BHP, to ensure at-risk communities have access to vital swimming and water safety education.

Registrations are now open for women only lessons at Leisurepark Balga and the Swim School Wangara and Intermediate Lessons at Cannington Leisureplex.

For more information on these upcoming lessons, please click on the link below.