Mandurah swimmers are diving into the year with better equipment as Royal Life Saving WA calls on parents to prioritise water safety by enrolling their children in swimming and lifesaving programs.
The group has used a Federal Government grant to buy equipment for swim schools at four centres, including Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Murray Leisure Centre.
The items will be primarily used in RLSWA programs run by the centres such as swim and survive, junior lifeguard club, bronze rescue and bronze medallion.
Swimmers tried out the new gear at a recent development session.
RLSWA swimming and water safety education manager Trent Hotchkin stressed the importance of swimming lessons and water rescue programs for children.
Seven West Australians have drowned this summer, more than double the number at this time last year.
Mr Hotchkin said the grant would ensure local swim schools could continue to provide valuable programs and “encourage more children to continue their swimming and water safety education and learn additional aquatic rescue skills”.
“There is a concern that many children exit swimming lessons at an age where they are less likely to learn the lifesaving skills that will protect them, with parents often pulling them out of lessons because of lack of time, competing after-school activities and cost,” Mr Hotchkin said.
“Water rescue programs such as the junior lifeguard club offer children the opportunity to not only stay involved and expand their swimming skills learned through lessons to include new skills that can equip them to save lives, but also provides a great pathway to becoming future lifesavers.
“In most emergency situations involving children, a friend or family member will be the first person on the scene. This means that having aquatic rescue skills and knowing how to respond in an emergency until emergency services arrive could mean the difference between life and death.”