Bookings now open as Swim Safe returns to Isle of Man
Bookings are now open for Swim Safe, the FREE programme of outdoor swimming and water safety sessions for children, which will be returning to the Isle of Man this summer.
Swim Safe sessions will take place between 8–12 August at Fenella Beach and Peel Lifeboat Station.
The return of the sessions follow a successful pilot on the Isle of Man last year which saw 180 children learn how to stay safe in or near open water with spaces filling up well in advance. Practical, interactive, educational and fun, each session includes a land-based safety lesson with a lifeguard, followed by in-water tuition with a swimming teacher. Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with t-shirt are all provided.
Delivered in partnership between the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) and the RNLI charity (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), Swim Safe is perfect for families enjoying the beach this summer holiday.
Last year RNLI lifeboat crew members on the Isle of Man launched 47 times to people in trouble at sea, rescuing 52 people. It’s important to remember that being in and around the sea is a very different environment to that of an indoor swimming pool.
Krystina Searle, Swim Safe Coordinator for the programme in Peel said: ‘There are all sorts of environmental factors to consider when you’re swimming outdoors, and it’s important that children know how to call for help if they get into trouble.
‘We’re really looking forward to bringing Swim Safe back to Peel this year. We’ve got enough spaces for a total of 360 young people to come and learn some really important life skills and we would love to fill all those spaces.’
Donna Crowe, whose son William took part in a session last year said: ‘My son absolutely loved his Swim Safe session with his class summer. Not only did it teach him some important skills, but he also had a fantastic time and felt feeling confident in the water with the Swim Safe teachers.
‘We’ll be booking on again this year and I’d recommend any parent thinking of spending time at the beach this summer to register their child for a free session.’
Swim Safe is a growing programme which is taking place at several other locations across England and Wales this summer including Bude, South Shields, Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre, Barry Island, Penzance, Poole, Scarborough, Jersey, the Isles of Scilly, the Lake District and two locations in Plymouth.wim Safe is a growing programme which is taking place at several other locations across England and Wales this summer including Bude, South Shields, Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre, Barry Island, Penzance, Poole, Scarborough, Jersey, the Isles of Scilly, the Lake District and two locations in Plymouth.
Parents can book their children onto a Swim Safe session now at www.Swimming.org/SwimSafe or simply come along on the day.
Notes to editors:
The attached picture shows children enjoying the sessions in Peel last year. Credit Mike Howland.
More high res images are available.
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
Media contacts:
For more information please contact Chris Cousens on 07748 265 496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected] or call Joanna Dey, RNLI PR Officer (Campaigns), on 01202 336064.
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.