South-West kids learn pool lifesaving skills

Western Australia is a state where water activity is a big part of our life. Many people take part in a variety of water-based sports and pastimes year-round, which makes swimming and water safety vital life skills.

Many West Australian children, through private swimming lessons and government programs like VacSwim and school-based interm swimming, are fortunate to be able to build strong swimming and water safety skills at a relatively young age. In order to keep these children interested in swimming, and to provide an alternative to basic lap swimming clubs, Royal Life Saving Society WA is working with schools and aquatic facilities across the state to develop Swimming and Lifesaving Clubs, and Junior Lifeguard Clubs, extending children's swimming skills by teaching them a variety of rescue techniques and enabling them to take part in fun and interactive pool lifesaving drills and activities.

Today Royal Life Saving trainers visited the Margaret River Swim School, one of our Endorsed Swim Schools, to present a Junior Lifeguard Club development session. Six children aged 8-12 took part, and were very excited to learn the competitive pool lifesaving events on offer, including rescue tube relays, rope throws and manikin rescues. These activities are used at events such as the Junior Lifeguard Club State Titles.

Royal Life Saving currently has 12 Swimming and Lifesaving Clubs and 38 Junior Lifeguard Clubs across the state. As an organisation we hope to see more schools and aquatic centres join the program and urge anyone interested in finding out more to visit the link below for further information.

For more information about the sport of pool lifesaving click on the following link.