News Release - June 16, 2017

RDN and School District 69 Qualicum Receive Funds for Swim to Survive+ Program

On Friday, June 16, representatives from the RDN and School District 69 Qualicum were presented with a cheque from the Lifesaving Society in support of the Swim to Survive+ program for Grade 7 students in the Oceanside Area. The cheque presentation took place on the pool deck at Ravensong Aquatic Centre.

The Swim to Survive+ program provides simple, basic training in three essential skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Swim to Survive+ is aimed at presenting more realistic situations for children in Grade 7.

"In a region surrounded by the ocean and endless water-based recreation opportunities, training like this is an essential life skill for our children," said Bill Veenhof, RDN Board Chair. "We are grateful to the Lifesaving Society and the School District for partnering with us on this very important initiative."

"The safety of our students is of paramount importance and we believe that this research-based program has helped to ensure that our students will be better prepared to make wise choices and respond appropriately to emergencies when enjoying all that West Coast outdoor life has to offer," said Rollie Koop, District 69 Qualicum Superintendent.

"The Swim to Survive+ program will ensure that the Regional District of Nanaimo's youth are provided with some basic awareness and lifesaving skills to decrease the likelihood of drownings in that susceptible age group," said Dale Miller, Executive Director, Lifesaving Society BC and Yukon Branch. "The Lifesaving Society's objective is to prevent drowning and the Regional District of Nanaimo's leadership in providing Swim to Survive+ training to their students certainly helps to decrease the number of water-related tragedies in BC."

In total, 287 Grade 7 students from School District 69 Qualicum received Swim to Survive+ training. This is the first year Swim to Survive+ was delivered in the Regional District of Nanaimo. The grant is administered by the Lifesaving Society, and made possible by funding partners, the Province of British Columbia, RBC, Telus and the Recreation Foundation of BC.

Contact:

Dean Banman Manager, Recreation Services Regional District of Nanaimo 250-947-2554 dbanman [at] rdn.bc.ca (dbanman[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca)

Dale Miller Executive Director Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon Region 604-299-5450 dalem [at] lifesaving.bc.ca (dalem[at]lifesaving[dot]bc[dot]ca)