More than 2,400 Oakville students complete Swim to Survive program

In recognition of Drowning Prevention Week (July 21-27), the Town of Oakville is proud to announce that more than 2,400 Grade 3 students recently completed the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive drowning prevention program sponsored by FirstOntario Credit Union.

According to the Lifesaving Society, drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under the age of 10. The Swim to Survive training program teaches the essential skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Participants learn to roll into deep water, tread water for one-minute and swim 50 metres.

“Learning to swim is a fundamental skill that everyone should have access to,” said Julie Mitchell, senior manager, recreation planning and development. “If every child in Canada were to achieve the Swim to Survive standard, the number of drownings each year could be reduced by half. We want to be part of improving those statistics.”

Each year, Swim to Survive is offered in May and June at all five of the town’s indoor pools as well as Brookdale outdoor pool. More than 16,000 Oakville children have completed the Swim to Survive program since 2007 and thanks to funding support from FirstOntario Credit Union that number will continue to grow.

“Swim to Survive is a program FirstOntario has supported for a number of years. The program provides students with an essential life-saving skill, which is so important for everyone to learn,” said Lloyd Smith, CEO, FirstOntario Credit Union. “We want to make a difference in our communities. We will continue to build great relationships by working together with community partners like the Town of Oakville.”

The town offers a number of aquatics programs and activities focused on water safety and drowning prevention including the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program available at all pools.

For more information, visit our Aquatics page.