Junior Lifeguard Club teaches water safety confidence

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Project H.O.P.E. is gearing up to host its annual fundraiser gThe Strathmore Centennial Aquatic Centre has been offering swimming activities and youth swimming training to residents for 17 years. Lesser known is the fact that on and off for the past three years, it has also offered youth training in the form of a Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) for skill development beyond the standard swimming levels.
Created by the Lifesaving Society, Strathmore has adopted the national program “because of the positive approach to water safety on a higher level” and hopes to offer the program more consistently to youth in the future.
Considered a lifeguard-in-training program, but not to be confused with the national lifeguard qualification course, the program is taught by two coaches at the aquatic centre and runs every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. The current session has 15 members and is ending on March 28.
Any youth aged 8 to 16 can join, so long as they can swim 25 metres comfortably and can tread water for two continual minutes.
The program teaches members skill such as basic first aid, water safety skills to assist with worst case scenarios, and youth development skills in swimming, lifesaving, fitness lifesaving knowledge, leadership and teamwork. The club also teaches youth awareness and understanding of potential dangers and how to handle it in the safest way.
“The club allows each individual to access their potential. Using new skills, they’re able to learn more about their strengths and setting goals (and) encourage a healthy lifestyle,” said Cagney Lowen, lifeguard instructor with the Town of Strathmore. “Being a part of the club opens up new friendships, teamwork and having fun in a safe environment.”
Lowen added that students can use their skills towards becoming a certified lifeguard or just to have the knowledge that may come in handy one day.
Water training can be especially beneficial to youth as it can take away the subconscious fear of water. It can also benefit a parent in knowing their child has learned the necessary skills to play safe in and around water.
Next steps after completing the JLC would be for youth aged 13 or older to obtain their Standard First Aid, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross before they are able to register for the National Lifeguard course at 16 years of age. All the courses are offered at the Strathmore Centennial Aquatic Centre through either the Lifesaving Society or the Canadian Red Cross.
A new session for the Junior Lifeguard Club will run from May 2 to June 20. Registration for the club can be completed now at the aquatic centre.
“We hope that the skills they learn today will lead into tomorrow,” said Lowen. “The skills and safety they learn now will hopefully help guide the youth to make proactive choices, not only around water but in life, become leaders and feel comfortable helping people who may need it.”