During drowning awareness week this year, June 19th to June 25th, Byw’n iach had the opportunity to collaborate with Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre and Plas Heli National Sailing Academy to provide Swimsafe sessions to some year 6 children in the Arfon and Dwyfor areas.
Swimsafe has been a popular scheme for children ages 7-14 for several years and it provides children with the opportunity to learn about water safety by taking part in open water swimming lessons.
As there are a high number of rescue incidents in open waters each year and Gwynedd has an extensive coastline as well as inland water, our main aim with the sessions was to teach children essential skills that will help them to keep safe in water.
“A big thank you to Byw’n Iach Gwynedd for arranging Water Safety sessions for our year 6 pupils at Plas Menai. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the session and have learnt many skills on how to stay safe in the sea”
A total of nine sessions took place throughout the week, two days in Plas Menai and two in Plas Heli. Swimming teachers from Byw’n Iach Arfon, Caernarfon, Byw’n Iach Bangor and Byw’n Iach Dwyfor, Pwllheli supported the sessions, working closely alongside instructors from Plas Menai. The sessions proved popular, with 148 children in attendence accross the four sessions, from 7 of the local schools.
“The Swimsafe sessions were excellent! The pupils had so much fun learning how to keep safe with enthusiastic staff. Every student enjoyed! A very important session!”
Thank you to staff at Plas Menai, Plas Heli and Byw’n Iach for providing sessions to the local children!