Pool programs teach water safety

Students from Robert Moore School’s senior kindergarten class are a picture of confidence while wading in the pool at the Memorial Sports Centre during their afternoon swimming lessons.
More importantly, these lessons are introducing these first-time swimmers to basic water safety skills—ones they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
“Safety education is a big part of the Red Cross program,” said longtime instructor Jill Coran. “They learn to be safe both in and out of the pool.”
The Memorial Sports Centre’s various programs—including the “Aqua-Tots” school lessons—attract 1,200 young students per year.
And for an area with such natural beauty as the Rainy River District, these programs become even more valuable when the summer months welcome more time by the lakes.
“These are life practices. A lot of the kids spend a lot of time at the beach or their camp,” said Robert Moore teacher Lorina Fryer. “It’s important they learn these—and these programs have done a good job.”
“We tell the kids to always check where they dive, to swim with adult supervision, and always wear a lifejacket when the water level is above their head,” noted Coran.
Older, more experienced swimmers can take their pool safety knowledge all the way up to becoming local lifeguards. For instance, children as young as eight can join the local junior lifeguard club—a four-month-old club has 15 members in two different classes.
“It’s not a club for kids to get their certification,” said aquatics director Leana Moffitt. “Rather, it’s a club to start interest. It’s been very successful with good attendance all around.”
First-aid and Coronary Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) lessons also are offered at the Memorial Sports Centre under the auspicious of the National Life Saving Society and the Red Cross.