Fatal drownings are on the rise in the Western Cape. This point was highlighted this past weekend when a 13-year-old boy passed away after having difficulty in the surf at a Mossel Bay beach before disappearing underwater. His body was later recovered.
To tackle the increase in these incidents, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has launched its first survival swimming centre.
According to the organisation, only 15% of South Africans can swim, with many finding a way to cool off in the summer months with little to no swimming skills under their belts, learning to swim should become a priority and critical skill for all South Africans, especially for the little ones, as per the NSRI.
“This centre combats two critical issues we have identified, which is offering underprivileged children access to a safe swimming pool, which many communities do not have and secondly, by offering the lessons at no cost means there is no financial barrier” states Andrew Ingram, Drowning Prevention Manager at the NSRI.
The centre has been constructed in a 12-metre shipping container which features a six-meter-long swimming pool, an office space for the instructor and a change room for students.
Only one metre deep, the swimming pool is completely safe for students and can be completely locked up.
The first phase of the project is being tried and tested at Miring Primary School in Riebeek Kasteel. The school was selected due to a fatal drowning that took place there.
“Even though there are many incidents like these in the country, we selected the school because we already (like in many other parts of the country) have a swimming instructor servicing that area,” Ingram added.
Brenton Cupido, Headmaster at Meiring Primary School says that they are very excited to be the first school to receive the Survival Swimming Centre.
“Following the fatal drowning incident at our school, myself, the staff, and the school pupils were terribly affected by this incident. It is crucial for our school children to be taught survival swimming to prevent any further tragedies,” he explains.
This incredible swimming centre is a step in the right direction.
“With slight modifications to the design of this Survival Swimming Centre we will be able to deploy them anywhere in the country. For example, by using Solar Power where there is no electricity, we can service communities that previously had little chance of having a swimming pool to learn to swim in,” concludes Ingram.
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Picture: NSRI