Yandeyarra children learn new swimming skills

Children in the Yandeyarra Remote Aboriginal Community have enjoyed some special Swim and Survive swimming and water safety lessons, as a group of swim instructors took the 142-kilometre drive from Port Hedland to lend a helping hand in the community.

Children in regional communities often miss out on the benefit of organised swimming lessons that most metropolitan children enjoy, quite often due to a lack of swim instructors to run these programs in regional areas. Royal Life Saving WA is currently working with the Education Department to address this issue, with extra instructors sent to Port Hedland from Perth to run in-term Swim and Survive lessons over the next few weeks.

Some of those instructors took the opportunity to also help out at Yandeyarra, taking the long drive to teach 12 children at the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool in the town. Pool Manager Sandy McKenzie says it was a really lovely day, enjoyed by all.

“All of the kids had a great time and received useful help from the visiting teachers, which they will put to good use at the upcoming Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival in South Hedland. I was also really pleased to have some help from the teachers at Yandeyarra School who are always willing to lend a hand.”

Following the swimming lessons the children also enjoyed a delicious BBQ and spent some time having fun with their newfound friends! We look forward to seeing their amazing skills in action at the Spirit Carnival next week.