School pupils from across the island enjoyed fun-filled sessions highlighting seaside safety last week.
Trearddur Bay beach hosted children from six Anglesey primary schools as they enjoyed SwimSafe sessions over three days.
The SwimSafe sessions were organised by the county council’s Môn Actif leisure service and Countryside and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Team. The programme - which is sponsored by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) - teaches children and young people how to stay safe when swimming outdoors.
The sessions also offered surfing lessons, provided by Rhosneigr-based company Gecko, and stand-up paddleboarding sessions provided by outdoor adventure company Pellennig Cyf. For those who didn’t go in the water, the RNLI were on hand to provide beach exercises and an educational talk on water safety.
Visiting schools included Ysgol Gynradd Llangoed; Ysgol Y Graig, Llangefni; Ysgol Cemaes: Ysgol Rhyd Y Llan, Llanfaethlu; Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch and Ysgol Kingsland, Holyhead.
Anglesey’s Leisure portfolio holder, Councillor Carwyn Jones, and Children and Youth Services portfolio holder, Cllr Gary Pritchard, joined pupils from Ysgol Llangoed at Trearddur Bay to learn more about Swim Safe and the activities on offer.
Councillor Jones said, “Once again, I am delighted to see the SwimSafe sessions take place here on Anglesey and thank the team for making these sessions both fun and educational for our local children. It is important that children learn where it is safe to swim, how to stay safe and what to do if they get into trouble.”
Councillor Pritchard added, “Living on an island, learning to swim safely is one of the most important lessons a child can have. It was great to see this multi-agency partnership in action at Trearddur Bay, all with the common goal of conveying the basics of water safety for young children.”
Members of RNLI Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station were also on hand to support the SwimSafe sessions. They provided advice on conditions, helped pupils hose off their wetsuits, held tours of the station building for those not entering the water and kept an eye on proceedings.
Station Lead Tony Hardman highlighted the value of the SwimSafe programme, adding, “With more young people being educated about the principles of water safety, there will be less need for the RNLI to be called out to save lives.”
The children enjoyed various open water activities and came away with the four essential principles of SwimSafe:
- Always swim in a safe place
- Always swim with an adult
- If you do fall in – float, breathe and relax
- If someone else is in trouble, call 999 or 112
Ends 28 June 2022