Help kids stay water-safe in summer

VICSWIM is encouraging friendly, active people to train as a swim teacher, surf or inland lifesaver for free, ahead of summer.

Those who take part in the program will not only be fully qualified to apply for employment at their local pool or beach, but will be guaranteed one-to-three weeks of work with the not-for-profit in January, teaching essential water safety skills to four to 12-year-old children.

VICSWIM will also cover the cost of first aid and CPR training within the program.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria workforce project officer Deb Gordois said the organisation had a shortage of swimming teachers last summer, so many water safety education programs had to be cancelled.

“School children who are at least 17 years old on the 1st of January 2023 can apply, older people who may have retired can do it, and it is appropriate for those studying outdoor and physical education,” she said.

“As long as a person can swim a lap of a 25-metre pool confidently and has the skills to talk to the children and teach them, they can be trained.”

If participants pass their course, VICSWIM will arrange for them to complete 20 hours’ worth of shadow teaching at a pool before January.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria has received State funding to put 150 people through 20 hours of training by December.

You can register your interest at bit.ly/3T98pRq.

About 16,000 children were enrolled in VICSWIM’s summer swimming program last year.