More than 800 swim instructors being sought for South Australia’s revamped VACSWIM

More than 800 swim instructors are being sought to deliver South Australia’s revamped VACSWIM program over the 2021/22 summer.

The development follows Surf Life Saving SA having been awarded the South Australian Government contract to exclusively roll out the swimming school program across the state over the next three years.

Under the new program, VACSWIM lessons will be offered in December - for the first time in the swimming school’s history - in addition to the program’s usual January classes, which will continue to be offered.

As reported by 7News and The Advertiser, Surf Life Saving SA had previously been responsible for managing VACSWIM lessons at beaches but will now be handling the pool locations as well.

Surf Life Saving SA encourages anyone interested in joining the swim school’s workforce to visit the VACSWIM website.

Surf Life Saving SA Chief Executive Damien Marangon said the organisation was committed to “creating meaningful opportunities that enable more of our younger South Australians to learn water safety skills”.

Marangon went on to say “our vision statement is that there are ‘zero preventable deaths in South Australian waters’ and educating the next generation through the VACSWIM program is a major way we can continue to achieve this.”

South Australian Recreation and Sport Minister, Corey Wingard said VACSWIM had been teaching children water safety and survival skills for more than 60 years, adding “not only do children learn essential lifelong skills but it also provides a fantastic opportunity to be active, which aligns with our Game On initiative to get South Australians moving.”

Last year, 12,000 youngsters participated in VACSWIM lessons at more than 115 sites and more children are expected to take part over the coming summer.

Registrations for VACSWIM classes open on 29th September.

Surf Life Saving SA/Life Saving SA will be staging the 2021 South Australian Aquatics State Conference in Adelaide this Thursday (2nd September).

Click here for more information on VACSWIM.

Image: VACSWIM instructors Courtney Larwood and Georgia Kelly (at rear) with young swimmers. Credit: Surf Life Saving SA.