Free water safety sessions help children to Swim Safe this summer

Swim Safe sessions, run in partnership by the RNLI and Swim Wales, will be returning to Plas Menai, Criccieth and Cardiff as well making the programme’s debut at Porthcawl, Anglesey, Tywyn and Tenby this summer.

Children aged 7–14 will be able to learn vital water safety skills for free, as Swim Wales and the RNLI’s Swim Safe programme visit several locations across Wales this summer.

The first Swim Safe sessions will be held next week (Saturday 15th June) at Porthcawl’s Sandy Bay with five sessions held throughout the day. There are still a small number of spaces available on each session and can be booked free of charge by visiting swimsafe.org.uk/locations.

The fun, hour-long sessions are run by qualified instructors, lifeguards and volunteers. Swim Safe teach young people how to swim safely outdoors and what to do if they, or someone else, get into difficulty in the water.

Hope Filby, Swim Wales’ Swim Safe Coordinator, says:

‘Children love swimming outdoors, but it’s very different to swimming in a pool, where most children learn to swim.

‘It’s essential children learn about open water safety – where it is safe to swim, how to stay safe and what to do if they get into difficulty in the water.

‘We want all children to have access to this training, so all Swim Safe sessions are funded by the RNLI and Swim Wales partnership and so are completely free of charge. To take part, children must be aged between 7 and 14 and able to swim 25 metres unaided.’

All the kit needed to take part, including wetsuits, swim hats and flotation equipment, is provided for each child during the sessions. Children only need to bring their swimsuit a suitable pair of shoes and a towel. Each session gives children:

· Up to 30 minutes of practical, in-water tuition led by qualified instructors

· Essential open water safety advice

· A free Swim Safe goody bag take home

The programme aims to support the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy’s aim of reducing accidental drowning by 50 per cent by 2026, to which Swim Wales and the RNLI are committed as members of the National Water Safety Forum.

For more information about Swim Safe, visit swimsafe.org.uk

RNLI Media Contact

For more information contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected]. Alternatively contact Mike Carhart-Harris, Public Relations Manager (Campaigns), RNLI, on 01202 663168 / [email protected]

Notes to Editors

Swim Safe Public Sessions will be held at these locations on the following dates:

• Sandy Bay, Porthcawl: 15 June.

• Plas Menai: 22-23 June

• Tenby South Beach: 26 – 28 July

• Tywyn Beach: 10-12 August.

• Cardiff: 11/18/25 August.

• Criccieth: 23-25 August.

Members of the public can book on to any of the free Swim Safe sessions for free visiting swimsafe.org.uk/locations.

About Swim Safe

Swim Safe was created by Swim England and the RNLI in 2013 to help children aged 7–14 stay safe while enjoying swimming outdoors.

From with a single scheme in Cornwall, Swim Safe has grown into a national programme spanning the UK. More than 20,000 children took part in a Swim Safe session across 29 locations in 2018.

This summer, Swim Safe is coming to 36 beach and inland water locations across England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It is being delivered in partnership with Swim Wales and a range of local delivery partners.

Find out more at swimsafe.org.uk

About Swim Wales

Swim Wales is the National Governing Body for Aquatics in Wales. We aim to support a Nation to become aquatically active. For more information please visit swimwales.org

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.