RNLI and Swim Wales urge parents to sign up kids for free water safety sessions

‘Swim Safe’ will be returning to Barmouth between the 6-8 August (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and spaces are still available for children and young people to take part in the popular water safety program.

Swim Safe are fun, 45 minute sessions that teach young people how to swim safely outdoors and what to do if they, or someone else, get into difficulty in the water. The sessions are all free and will be held outside Barmouth Lifeboat station between 6-8 August. To take part, children must be aged between 7 and 14 years and be able to swim 25 metres unaided.

Parents and guardians can book a space for their child by visiting https://swimsafe.org.uk/locations/barmouth. Five sessions will be held by volunteers each day – a fun, free activity for children and young people to enjoy over the school summer holidays.

Trevor Lewis, Barmouth RNLI Water Safety Officer says: ‘Children love swimming outdoors, but it’s very different to swimming in a pool. 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. With Swim Safe sadly not running last year due to covid, and swimming pools shut for much of that time, we’re encouraging all children between the ages of 7 and 14 to get involved and to build confidence in and around the water while learning vital lifesaving skills.

‘We’re pleased to be able to partner with Swim Wales again and run free Swim Safe sessions at Barmouth this Summer. In addition to children joining in with Swim Safe, we want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency.’

The sessions are run by qualified swimming instructors and a team of volunteers. Each session offers:

· 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.

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

Notes to editors

Attached are photos of Swim Safe sessions. Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams.

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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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