By Violet Li
Casey RACE, the YMCA-managed water recreation and aquatic centre in Cranbourne East is introducing a four-week water safety program for women in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community with little or no water experience.
Currently, swim teachers in Casey RACE provide education for women and their children every Saturday night with informal teaching that focuses on imparting an understanding of basic water safety behaviours.
Starting in 11 November, the new program will extend the existing informal sessions into a more structured module, making participants more self-assured in their water skills and safety awareness.
The curriculum includes important lessons on water safety, the role of a lifeguard, understanding swimming equipment, and maintaining vigilance for children’s safety.
Aquatics Program Lead at Casey RACE Lauren Weeding said it became clear there was a need for structured learning beyond just facilitating space for swimming from their observations and interaction on the women-only swim nights.
“I recalled seeing a young girl in the deeper end of the pool trying to float, and I stepped in to teach her the correct way. This made me realise we weren’t just opening a space, we needed to create a safer environment,” she said.
“The goal of this program is to educate women and their families in preparation for a hot summer. We aim to make the water a safer space for everyone, within Casey RACE and beyond.
“It’s a groundbreaking move, helping to fill the void of adult water safety programs, particularly for cultural groups that are most at risk.”
Casey RACE stated they hoped to continue building on this program and run this course regularly to empower more women and transform lives by offering valuable water safety skills.
The program will run from 11 November to 2 December every Saturday from 8:30pm at Casey RACE, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road.
For more information, phone 03 5990 8600.
