Onslow kids build their Swim and Survive skills

Royal Life Saving WA continues to work hard across the state to ensure children have an opportunity to learn vital swimming and water safety skills despite the limitations or remoteness of their location. During Term Four of 2020 and Term One of 2021 we’ve provided Swim and Survive lessons for children in the Pilbara community of Onslow, thanks to funding from Principal Community Partner BHP.

The most recent series of lessons saw 25 children complete lessons in stage one to six of the Swim and Survive program. The lessons were taught by local instructor Sophie Telfer at the Onslow Aquatic Centre every Saturday for eight weeks during Term One.

The provision of the lessons across two consecutive school terms was very important as it enables the children to have some consistency in their learning, building on skills over a shorter time period rather than waiting a year between lessons which is often the case for regional and remote communities.

Sophie says the program was very much appreciated by the local community. “These lessons have been great! It is always so nice to see students increasing their skills in the water.”

Royal Life Saving WA is keen to see children across more regional WA communities receive access to Swim and Survive lessons, but this is often a challenge due to a shortage of swim instructors in these regions. We’re currently working to improve the availability of instructors in regional areas, thanks to the State Government’s Jobs and Skills initiative, providing free Swim Teacher training for eligible young people across the state.

You can find a Swim Instructor by Royal Life Saving course near you at the link below.