SWIM MY WAY program introduces migrants to swimming safety

15 women have been enjoying weekly swimming and water safety lessons at the Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre in Sydney as part of the SWIM MY WAY program, a new initiative between Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and cereal brand Uncle Tobys. 

With SWIM MY WAY aiming to get more Australians swimming and active in the water, the 10 week program has been tailored for the Chinese migrants, teaching them how to swim and stay safe in the water. The group of beginners have had limited experience in the water, never getting the opportunity to learn when they were younger in China.

Matt Griffiths, General Manager - Aquatics, Royal Life Saving Society – NSW explains “Royal Life Saving believes that every person has the right to learn basic swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills. Unfortunately many new migrants haven’t had access to swimming and water safety lessons prior to coming to Australia.”

Prior to the lessons many of the women had never even put their face in the water, a basic skill that many Australian’s learn from a young age. Step by step the women are overcoming their fears, and are learning how to blow bubbles, float, and swim basic strokes. This is the first phase to help the women feel more comfortable in the water as they continue to build their swimming skills and learn how to stay safe in the water.

Griffith adds “swimming and water safety lessons are not just a valuable life-skill, it’s such an important part of being part of the community. Playing in backyard swimming pools, picnics by the river, and splashing around at the beach are very much a part of everyday life in Australia.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy our beautiful waterways and stay safe wherever they are. The SWIM MY WAY program helps bridge that gap so more people can enjoy the many benefits of swimming.”

SWIM MY WAY supports a variety of swimming based activities across Australia. Uncle Toby’s are proud to work with Royal Life Saving on their shared vision of facilitating happy and healthy lifestyles.

The program was initially launched as SWIMS 4 ALL in March before being rebranded as SWIM MY WAY.

To find out more about SWIM MY WAY go to www.royallifesaving.com.au/swim-my-way

Images: SWIM MY WAY participants at the Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre.

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