Quairading kids enjoy Swim and Survive fun
Note: This story includes information and images taken early in term one this year, before social distancing measures were put in place and public swimming pools closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Royal Life Saving WA has built many partnerships over the years to ensure children and families across our state can have access to swimming and water safety education. Long-term statistics show that children living in regional and remote areas are five times more likely to drown than those in the Perth metropolitan area.
During the early part of Term One this year we worked with the Shire of Quairading to assist in funding a Swim and Survive program for children aged 6 months through to four years at the Quairading Memorial Swimming Pool. The program, which was originally scheduled to run for six weeks, had to be cut short by a week when public pools were closed due to COVID-19. But for the five weeks it ran the local children thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt some vital life skills!
The lessons were conducted as part of our Access and Equity program, by an infant qualified instructor from Just Add Water Swim School, which is a Royal Life Saving Endorsed Swim School. She travelled from Northam to Quairading to teach the lessons.
Jennifer Green, Grants and Projects Office at the Shire of Quairading says 18 swimmers took part in the program, which filled a real gap in swimming and water safety education for children in the town. ”The feedback from parents and swimmers was fantastic and parents were especially grateful to have the opportunity to have their children educated in swim and survive skills at their local pool. I think if we can run this program annually it would be of huge benefit to our local community, who haven’t been catered for in the under 5’s age group for swimming lessons before.
Royal Life Saving WA is pleased to be able to ensure children in regional areas of our state receive the same opportunities to learn vital Swim and Survive skills as those living in the metropolitan area. You can find our more about our Swim and Survive Access and Equity program at the link below.
