Royal Life Saving WA provides Swim and Survive program for CaLD children 

Royal Life Saving Society - Western Australia has announced that the Cannington Leisureplex and Leisurepark Balga facilities in metropolitan Perth are both hosting CaLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) after school Swim and Survive programs this term.

Royal Life Saving WA iscommitted to enhancing swimming and water safety skills among Western Australian children, so they can safely participate in activities in, on and around water. This after school program is teaching a total of 60 potentially at-risk children necessary swimming skills, enabling them to enjoy aquatic activities safely and confidentially.

Partnering with Communicare and the Edmund Rice Centre, the program inspires and equips children who are newly arrived in Western Australia, or who have had limited swimming and water safety awareness.

The Swim and Survive program identifies 16 critical stages in a child’s development. The lower stages focus on teaching efficient support and movement in the water. The higher stages include skill and knowledge in safety, survival and rescue, all while developing a strong and effective swimming technique.

The program is targeted for children aged four to 11 years old and is run by qualified Swim and Survive Instructors at both centers. In addition to the children and parents learning critical lifesaving skills, the program also aims to connect the families with their local community leisure centre to pursue further aquatic recreation activities.

The City of Canning has the highest percentage of CaLD people in Western Australia (39.3%) and City of Stirling is the fourth highest (24.9%).

Royal Life Saving WA sees that action is required to develop a response to deliver swimming and water safety lessons to such a diverse range of cultures and to provide education on swimming and water safety awareness.

The Swim and Survive Access and Equity program is supported by Principal Community Partner BHP, with additional funding from the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Click here for more information on the Access and Equity program.