Pre-summer swim skills for multicultural adults

Royal Life Saving WA’s Men’s and Women’s Only Swim and Survive programs have proven extremely popular this term, enabling participants to learn vital swimming and water safety skills ahead of summer. The program is delivered as part of Royal Life Saving WA’s Access and Equity, which aims to ensure culturally appropriate swimming and water safety classes are available for those in high-risk communities.

Both the men’s and women’s programs happen at Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex, while the women’s program is also held at Leisurepark Balga and The Swim School Wangara. Riverton Leisureplex, Cannington Leisureplex, Leisurepark Balga, The Swim School Wangara. 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.”

Early in the term an information session was held for swimming instructors involved in the delivery of the women`s swimming lessons, giving them teaching tips which enabled them to improve their existing knowledge. After the information session, the Supervisor spent some time in the pool showing instructors helpful tips for teaching adult participants.

During term three 108 women participated in the women’s program across the metro area, while 29 men were involved in the men’s only lessons. These lessons are vital as we work to reduce drowning rates amongst multicultural West Australian, as statistics show that people who were born overseas accounted for 39% of all drowning deaths in our state over the past ten years. Many have come from countries where access to a regular swimming education while growing up is rare.

These programs, delivered in partnership with the City of Canning Swim School, City of Stirling Swim School and The Swim School Wangara are made possible thanks to funding from the Australian Government Department of Health. If you’d like to find out how you can get involved in future lessons please click the link below.