Young lifesavers in water
Community

Get wet and have fun with Outback Lifesavers

Published: 07 Jan 2021 12:51pm

The chance to learn lifesaving water safety skills at pools and inland waterways is now open to Wagga Wagga youngsters who are being encouraged to join a new program being rolled out in the city.

Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW have partnered to deliver the State’s first Outback Lifesaver program which will start with proficiency swim testing at the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre on Sunday 17 January 2021.

Parents and carers keen to get their children involved in the inaugural program are being urged to register on the Royal Life Saving NSW website.

Limited places are still available and can be booked at royalnsw.com.au/EDUCATION/Outback-Lifesaver

Up to 120 primary-aged children have the opportunity to take part during Term 1 of 2021 with the first of nine sessions at Wagga Beach to start on Sunday 31 January and finish on 28 March.

RLSNSW Project Co-ordinator Renee Amidy said introducing young people to different aquatic environments is crucial to developing important skills around the water.

“The Royal Life Saving Outback Lifesaver Program has been developed to provide children and community groups with the opportunity to acquire relevant skills and knowledge to safely participate in recreational activities in our open water environments,” Ms Amidy said.

“As children grow, they become exposed to a range of recreational water activities including surfing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and water skiing.

“Outback Lifesavers is all about being active and having fun and we strongly encourage parents and carers with children between 8-13 years of age to utilise their Active Kids Voucher and get involved.

“It is important that children have the opportunity to develop foundation lifesaving skills and acquire relevant knowledge pertinent to our inland waterways. There are still a number of places available for the under 13 years age group so we’d love to see those kids who are potentially starting Year 7 this year signed up for the program.”

Council’s Strategic Recreation Officer Peter Cook said the community program was a unique opportunity and encouraged registrations as soon as possible.

“Education is a major part of safety around inland waterways. Rivers present a number of challenges, many which cannot be seen, such as submerged objects, cold water and strong under-current,” Mr Cook said.

“We really want to see the community get behind this program. We want people to learn how to respect the river … and having parents and carers alongside our younger members of the community while learning these skills will be invaluable.”

The Outback Lifesaver Program seeks to provide participants with:

* increased aquatic skills and proficiencies for a range of aquatic environments

* increased aquatic and community safety knowledge relevant to local surroundings and conditions

* increased understanding of local aquatic environments, including pools, rivers, lakes and dams and their associated risks and hazards

* great fun and enjoyment – lots of laughter with friends and peers

* an appreciation for local aquatic environments and the need to respect such environments

* health, wellbeing and social outcomes

* enhanced understanding and support for safe local communities.

Bookings are open now and spaces are limited.

Program information:

  • The program will run on Sunday mornings between 9-11am. Sessions will run for 1 hour with start times dependent on age.
  • Start date: Sunday 17 January 2021 at Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre (proficiency swim).
  • Session dates: Each Sunday between 31 January-28 March at Wagga Wagga Beach.
  • Water conditions and weather will be constantly reviewed for safety; the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre will be the alternate venue if required.
  • Enrolments are open now at royalnsw.com.au/EDUCATION/Outback-Lifesaver
  • Support for this program will be provided by both paid staff and parent volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Royal Life Saving directly.

For more information please contact Project Coordinator Renee Amidy at reneeamidy@royalnsw.com.au or by calling 02 6651 5420.