Back view of three young males wearing pink lifesaving tops and caps
IT'S BACK:  Young community members keen to learn more about water safety and lifesaving skills can now sign up for Outback Lifesavers 2024.

Council

Sign up now to secure a place in Outback Lifesavers 2024

Published: 21 Dec 2023 3:56pm

Registrations are now open for Outback Lifesavers 2024, with the popular program returning to Wagga Wagga in January for its fourth season.

A partnership between Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW, the program focuses on giving young residents of Wagga Wagga and surrounds the opportunity to learn more about water safety and lifesaving skills.

Outback Lifesavers ’24 will be run at Oasis Aquatic Centre from 15 – 19 January 2024, with one-hour sessions held each weekday morning for youth aged between U7–U12.

Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre’s Program Supervisor Brad Ingram said while the program is being held at the Oasis rather than the Murrumbidgee River, the focus will be on education about water safety, particularly inland waterways.

“Outback Lifesavers has been developed to provide children in regional and remote areas and communities near inland waterways with an active aquatic participation experience” Mr Ingram said.

“It presents an opportunity for young lifesavers to develop their skills and understanding of safety around water, particularly inland waterways – plus it’s a whole lot of fun!

“We want to give the participants the knowledge to identify any dangers when swimming and enjoying water activities with their friends and pass on that knowledge to keep a safer environment.”

Group of young people in swimming gear holding up certificates, standing next to a pool
📷 Outback Lifesavers 2023 participants were presented with certificates after successfully completed the program.

The program aims to provide increased understanding, and the need for respect of local aquatic environments, including pools, rivers, lakes and dams and their associated risks and hazards.

The five sessions will run from 9am to 10am, from Monday 15 to Friday 19 January, and Active Kids vouchers are accepted.