NSRI launches Survival Swimming for children
There was a party atmosphere on the margins of the Kariega River lagoon at Kenton-on-Sea on Saturday November 11, as 36 children, aged 6-12, from Kenton, Ekuphumleni, Klipfontein and Marselle took to the water in groups of three to learn how to be safe and sensible in water.
The event was the Kenton-on-Sea launch of the NSRI Survival Swimming initiative.
Specially trained volunteers got children submerging their faces, blowing bubbles, floating and turning over on to their backs – skills that are basic to surviving in water and are the building blocks of learning to swim.
BUCO sponsored materials for the float rope that demarcated the closely monitored teaching area.
Some Kenton residents underwent special training so they could work alongside NRSI volunteers to teach the programme.
Coordinator and NSRI volunteer, Carol Mewse, said this was the first Survival Swimming programme conducted in open water.
“Historically, lessons have been in public pools,” she said. While the emphasis was on making the experience fun for the children, the impetus to run the programme follows the tragedy at Kenton’s Middle Beach on New Year’s Day 2023 when four children drowned, all from local families.
Managing the children attending last weekend’s Survival Swimming launch was Kariega Foundation community coordinator Nomawethu Ngangqu. She was among those who assisted in searching for the four children who drowned, and supporting their bereaved families.
Carey Webster, of Outdoor Focus, assisted Mewse in coordinating the programme, which will have its Port Alfred launch at Kiddies Beach at 10am on Saturday November 18.
Deputy director of Community Protection Services, Fanie Fouché, from Ndlambe Municipality, also assisted with arrangements, as did Kenton Boesmans Chamber of Business & Tourism, Rotary Kenton and individual volunteers.
The programme caters for beginners and those with basic swimming abilities. The manual’s introduction emphasises people’s dignity: “This course shouldn’t make a student feel despondent or embarrassed about their swimming abilities. It is designed to educate, empower and transform participants – both student and instructor!”
To support the programme, call Mewse on 084-900-7384. Or go along to the Port Alfred launch this weekend.