New water confidence for CaLD women in Perth

Royal Life Saving WA has partnered with the City of Canning Swim School, City of Stirling Swim School and The Swim School Wangara to deliver a Women’s Only Swim and Survive program during Term 2 this year.

More than 100 multicultural women participated in the program, improving their water safety knowledge, swimming skills and general confidence in the water. The program also provided participants with an opportunity to engage with other women at their local aquatic facility.

Over the past ten years, 39% of all drowning deaths in WA involved people born overseas. Almost two-thirds of these people came from a non-English speaking country. Royal Life Saving WA is partnering with various community groups to promote participation in swimming and water safety programs among CaLD communities to help reduce these alarming statistics.

Royal Life Saving WA Senior Manager Education, Trent Hotchkin, says “We’re working hard to address barriers to participation among migrant communities including cost and availability. We understand that for many migrant women the issue of cultural modesty is extremely important, and we’re working to provide swimming and water safety education programs that are appropriate and accessible to all Australians.”

106 women enrolled in the Term 2 program, which ran at four locations around the metro area. The eight-week program commenced in early May, with one-hour lessons held each week at Leisurepark Balga, Cannington and Riverton Leisureplexes, and The Swim School Wangara. 

The Women’s Only Swim and Survive program is part of the Swim and Survive Access and Equity Program which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health via the Driving Social Inclusion through Physical Activity and Sport Grants. If you’re interested in enrolling in the program and want to learn more, follow the link below.