Swim Instructors learn from the best
WA swim instructors had the chance to learn from the best in the business on Sunday, with legendary coach and athlete, Laurie Lawrence, hosting a professional development course with Royal Life Saving WA.
Held at the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre in Inglewood, the Olympic coach and former Wallaby guided over 30 instructors through a masterclass on stroke styles, drills, and common faults to avoid, while fielding questions relating to the aquatics industry.
Swim school coordinators and staff also had the opportunity to develop their infant aquatics knowledge, with Mr Lawrence's daughter, Emma Lawrence, demonstrating early childhood skills development.
Royal Life Saving partnered with Mr Lawrence, founder of Kids Alive - Do the Five, to support Endorsed Swim Schools continually improve their aquatic education delivery.
Mr Lawrence says swimming is the only sport that can save a life and is particularly significant with the 2022 Commonwealth Games now underway.
“Whether you’re involved in infant aquatics, junior stroke development, or elite swimming we must always build skills and I’m looking forward to sharing my swimming philosophies, garnered over the past fifty years, with members of the Royal Life Saving community in WA,” he said.
According to the latest WA Drowning Report, drowning rates in the state increased by 15 per cent over the past year, with toddlers and young children at greatest risk.
“This is particularly concerning given the number of children who had their lessons disrupted or discontinued over the past two years due to the pandemic,” says Trent Hotchkin, Royal Life Saving Senior Manager, Education.
“Teaching children Swim and Survive skills and water safety is the most important investment the community can make to reducing drowning.”
Royal Life Saving would like to thank Mr Lawrence for guiding the session and supporting our swim instructors to help create a water loving nation free from drowning.
If you’re interested in becoming a qualified swim teacher, explore our range of training options at the link below.
