River survival lessons for remote children

Trevor and Adele Caporn have returned to Fitzroy Crossing this year, to take on management of the Fitzroy Crossing Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool. The couple’s been involved in the program for a number of years, initially opening the Fitzroy Crossing pool before moving to Binyadanga and Burringurrah, and now returning to where it all began!

A couple of months into the season they’ve been very proactive in ensuring local children are learning practical Swim and Survive skills that will help them in their daily life. Recently Adele has been busy teaching safety and survival swimming skills and stroke techniques to children from the Muludja Remote Community School, 35 kilometres east of Fitzroy Crossing.

There is a river running past the community and the kids regularly swim here. But the water runs quite fast and is very deep so it’s vital the children here have survival swimming techniques to ensure they can stay safe while they play.

13 children and 3 teachers have this week attended the Fitzroy Crossing Pool for 3 days to learn the swimming, rescue and survival skills.

Adele says the children really enjoyed the lessons. “It has been a pleasure teaching these kids as they all listen and want to learn. We look forward to welcoming them back to the pool for more swimming lessons in Term One of the new year.”

Royal Life Saving Society WA, as part of the Go for 2&5 Regional and Remote Aboriginal Communities Swimming Program, is keen to ensure all children, and especially those living near rivers in regional areas, learn vital Swim and Survive skills.

Our Respect the River program, supported by the Federal Government, aims to ensure all Western Australians understand the potential dangers present in river and other inland waterway environments.