City of Newcastle lifeguards prepare students for a safe summer

A free City of Newcastle Water Safety Education Program continues to equip thousands of local primary school students with skills for a safe summer.

The Program is delivered to over 45 primary schools across Newcastle each year, educating more than 13,000 children about dangerous water conditions, how to swim safely and what to do if they get into difficult situations. The City of Newcastle program has been saving lives for more than 50 years.

Recently, the City’s lifeguards attended Waratah Public School to educate more than 300 Kindergarten to Year 6 students in preparation for this year’s swimming season.

The program is based around teaching preventative measures, basic fundamentals of water safety and how to enjoy yourself safely around water.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes noted “Newcastle beaches attract more than one million swimmers and sun-seekers to our picturesque coastline each year, but behind the stunning beauty lies the inherent risks they can present.

"Since 1966, our incredible team of lifeguards and aquatics staff have been utilising their skills and experience to empower children and adults with the knowledge they need to stay safe at our beaches, ocean baths and pools.”

The program is delivered during winter and spring each year, with the City’s lifeguards committing more than 700 hours during an eight-week period to promote the crucial water safety and drowning prevention messages across the city.

Almost 150,000 students have been engaged in the program during the last decade, with the City taking the program online through a digital presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure no-one missed out on the key water safety messages.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said delivering the program is one of the highlights of their year for many lifeguards and added "The delivery of the program is a significant component of CN’s overall approach to water safety, and one of the most significant youth engagement programs we undertake.

"Our lifeguards are passionate about sharing these life-saving lessons with children across Newcastle, which will help minimise the risk of children getting into dangerous situations and prevent aquatic accidents and drownings."