The RNLI says it wants to help children Swim Safe with free water safety sessions at the Share Discovery Village on Upper Lough Erne for the first time this September.
The fun, hour-long sessions teach young people how to swim safely outdoors and what to do if they, or others, get into difficulty in the water.
There will be four sessions held each day on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September and there are up to 20 places available per session.
Parents and carers can book their child’s free place online at SwimSafe.org.uk
To take part, children must be aged between seven 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.
For more information about Swim Safe, visit SwimSafe.org.uk
