Local children enjoy Swim Safe water safety session at Plas Menai

Swim Safe sessions, which is run in partnership by the RNLI and Swim Wales, teaches children aged 7-14 vital outdoor water safety skills as well as what to do if they see someone in trouble in the water. Spaces are still available for the outdoor water safety programme at Plas Menai this weekend – running all day Saturday and Sunday.

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]

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.

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