SAIL into safe swimming at Kwinana Requatic

WITH 15 per cent of all drowning deaths across Australia this last decade involving children with special needs, Royal Life Saving WA is offering water safety education at Kwinana Recquatic to help those most at risk.

Dubbed the SAIL program – Specialised Access and Inclusion Lessons – it targets those who may not fit into mainstream swimming lessons.

RLSSWA is working hard to break down the barriers to participation in learning to swim and survive within a variety of at-risk groups, and is working to increase participation for special needs children.

SAIL is offered to people of all ages with an intellectual, physical or behavioural issue or impairment, who need individual attention or reduced distraction from other swimmers.

It teaches basic water safety skills for those with special needs, and those who might require extra help to gain confidence in the water.

City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the City supports the program.

“Having the opportunity to learn to swim is a necessity in the WA environment,” she said.

“The City is committed to encouraging community participation in swimming lessons and this grant will certainly benefit these local families to have the opportunity to learn to swim in a safe, welcoming and affordable environment,’’ she said.

In Term 1 and Term 2 2019, RLSSWA hopes to have 80 children participate in this program – providing tailored private lessons that suit each child’s needs

Since it’s 2017 inception the SAIL program has made a real difference in Kwinana with more than 100 children taking part.

For more information on the program head to the Royal Life Saving Australia website.