A fresh approach for Swim and Survive

Royal Life Saving Society WA has recently released a new curriculum for the higher stages (10-15) in the Swim and Survive program, with the aim of encouraging more children to continue through to the Bronze Medallion.

The curriculum has been developed over the past 12 months, with assistance from our network of Endorsed Swim School Co-ordinators and the broader swimming and water safety education industry, who have taken part in extensive consultation - through face to face meetings, workshops and surveys.

Royal Life Saving Society WA's Senior Manager Swimming and Water Safety Education, Trent Hotchkin, says “the main goal of these changes to the higher levels of the Swim and Survive curriculum is the ensure participating children enjoy the program, have fun and want to continue. We also want to make sure both the child and parent can see a clear progression in the skills learnt.”

Mr Hotchkin says the message of the new program is ‘It’s amazing where Swim and Survive can take you!’

“The higher Swim and Survive levels are now far more holistic in both the range of skills taught and the incorporation of a new Water Safety Knowledge Strand, which is delivered via an online learning platform outside of class time.”

“Our overarching goal is to provide a pathway for participants to progress to the Bronze Medallion, ensuring there are more lifesavers in our community. The higher Swim and Survive levels also provide a great foundation of skills for those who want to pursue an aquatic sporting pathway, or a career in the aquatics industry.”

Last week a number of Swim School Co-ordinators attended a professional development session at Royal Life Saving Society WA headquarters in Mount Claremont, to receive training on the implementation of the new curriculum at their centres.

The refreshed Swim and Survive higher levels will be rolled out at Endorsed Swim Schools across the state from next week. The new curriculum will also be used in the Department of Education's in-term and VacSwim programs, with Education Department swim instructors attending PD sessions in the coming weeks.

The updated guide for swimming instructors teaching the new curriculum is available at the link below.