School children learn how to stay safe in open water at Jubilee Pool in Penzance

Brand new to Penzance this year, the Swim Safe programme taught 370  children from 11 schools how to safely enjoy swimming in outdoor environments.

Practical, interactive, educational and fun, each session included a land-based safety lesson with a lifeguard and in-water tuition with a swimming teacher. Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with t-shirt were all provided. 

Delivered in partnership between the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) and the RNLI charity (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), Swim Safe For Schools contributes to the national curriculum attainment outcome of giving children the opportunity to swim in different aquatic environments. 

Jane Weston, Swim Safe Coordinator at the Jubilee Pool, said: ‘Swim Safe at Jubilee Pool was a great success; we had school children from across Cornwall coming to Penzance for the sessions. The children learned really important life skills about swimming in open water and how to call for help whilst having great fun as well. It was great to see their confidence levels grow in the water.’

Children from St Mary’s C of E School in Penzance visited Jubilee Pool last week to take part in sessions.
Emma Jane Knuckey, Year 4 teacher, said: ‘The children were really excited about it. The Swim Safe sessions are a great opportunity for them to use the pool and learn beach safety skills in time for the summer holidays.’

Ends

For more information please contact Chloe Smith, RNLI Press Officer, on [email protected] or call 07920 818807.

Photos show children from St Mary’s C of E School taking part in Swim Safe sessions at Jubilee Pool. Credit Stacie Nicoll.

Notes to Editors

About Swim Safe
Swim Safe began in 2013 and ran for five weeks in Bude, Cornwall, teaching local children and those holidaying in the area how to be safe in and around the sea. By 2015 the programme had expanded to Bude, Bournemouth, Sandhaven, the Lake District, the Isle of Man, Plymouth and Jersey and included the introduction of Swim Safe For Schools. This year the programme will be delivered in over 13 locations with thousands of places available. For more information visit www.swimming.org/swimsafe

About the ASA
The ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) is the English national governing body for swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo. It organises competitions throughout England, establishes the laws of the sport, and operates a comprehensive certification and education programmes for teachers, coaches and officials. There are over 1,000 affiliated swimming clubs which are supported by the ASA through a national, regional and county structure. Millions of children have been taught to swim through the ASA’s learn to swim programmes. The ASA also develops programmes and initiatives to increase the number of people swimming more often.  For more information visit: www.swimming.org/asa

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.