Seadragonz swim school recognised for excellence in Induction and Professional Development

Perth-based swim school Seadragonz has been named as the recipient of the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia ‘Excellence in Aquatic Safety - Induction and Professional Development’ Award.

Presented as part of the inaugural National Aquatic Industry Safety Awards, Seadragonz was named the winner in its category for, what Craig Roberts, Royal Life Saving's National Manager Aquatic Industry describes as, "their initiative to provide a wide range of opportunities for staff to expand their skill set.”

Established in 2007 by Lari McDonald, an impassioned aquatic industry veteran with a vision to create a learning environment ideal for students and staff alike, Seadragonz has demonstrated a strong commitment to development and a proactive approach to up-skilling facility staff.

Running an annual crisis media management course is one initiative provided by the centre to equip employees with well-rounded skills to assist in their role.

​Profiled in an Australasian Leisure Management news item earlier this year (see link below), Seadragonz was created by McDonald out of frustration at having heard far-too- often of parents dealing with classes where the water was too cold, there were too many children competing for the teacher’s attention and children simply didn’t enjoy the experience of learning to swim.

Seadragonz caters for children from eight weeks of age right through to Bronze Medallion level but McDonald says there is a real focus on the young ones.

She continues “80% of our market is under the age of seven and 80% of that is under the age of five.

“We developed a program a couple of years ago for eight week olds, doing eight weeks of trial classes.

“That program is free and aims to teach parents what we believe is the better way to help your child swimming skills.

“We also teach a lot of safety skills, how to get out of strife with your child in the water and just getting parents to bond with their child. If you teach them young enough the fears that creep in later don’t happen. The first kids who went through that program from eight weeks old are now going into independent classes, and we’ve got these kids who are barely three swimming across the pool without fear.”

Aiming to teach more and more children in their area, McDonald added “we want to make a difference and see kids learn to swim and enjoy and love the water.

“You can reduce drowning statistics by making kids fearful and not want to get in the water, but I want them to love the water and be confident in the water so we can reduce drowning statistics in a positive way.”

Images: Lari McDonald (middle) and with her Seadragonz team (top). Images courtesy of Royal Life Saving.

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