The RNLI to hold Swim Safe sessions in Share Centre, county Fermanagh

The fun, hour-long sessions teach young people how to swim safely outdoors and what to do if they, or someone else, get into difficulty in the water.

There will be four sessions held each day on Saturday and Sunday the 14^th and 15^th of September and there are up to twenty places available per session. Parents and carers can book their child’s free place online at https://swimsafe.org.uk/locations/enniskillen,-share-discovery-village

To take part, children must be aged between 7 and 14 years and be able to swim 25 metres unaided.

The sessions are run by qualified swimming instructors and lifeguards, supported by a team of volunteers and give 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

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 and a towel.

Ashley Jones, RNLI Swim Safe Manager, 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 England partnership and so are completely free of charge.’

This year is the first time Swim Safe is being run on inland waters in Northern Ireland. The RNLI already operate two lifeboat stations on Lough Erne and were keen to bring the sessions to the area.

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

ENDS

Media contacts

For more information, please contact: Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Mike Carhart-Harris, Public Relations Manager (Campaigns), RNLI, on 01202 663168 / [email protected]

Notes to Editors

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.

Swim Safe has grown into a national programme spanning the UK. More than 20,000 children took part in a Swim Safe session in 2018.

This summer, Swim Safe has come to 39 beach and inland water locations across England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. It is being delivered in partnership with Swim Wales and a range of local delivery partners.

Find out more at swimsafe.org.uk

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.