Gascoyne aqua program unique in Australia
The Gascoyne region is pioneering what is believed to be Australia’s only multi-discipline approach to keeping people safer around water.
07 September 2010
AquaGasc Splash Week, to be held in Carnarvon from 18-27 September, will feature 11 aquatic-based courses designed to save lives and enhance people’s enjoyment in and around water.
The region’s vastness, and people living in remote areas, require a different approach to conducting courses.
“It just isn’t feasible to deliver one-off courses to people in remote areas, and to ask them to keep returning to either upskill, or do a different course,” said the Department of Sport’s Regional Manager for Gascoyne, Salvatore Siciliano.
“We don’t know of anywhere else in the Australia that offers this range of specialised aquatic courses in such a short space of time.”
Four of the State’s peak aquatic organisations have teamed up for a second year to present the training courses. Royal Life Saving, AUSTSWIM, Swimming WA and Surf Life Saving WA have teamed up to conduct the courses, with financial backing from the Department of Sport and Recreation.
Most of the courses are for people who have minimal exposure to the aquatic environment, with the aim to give people basic knowledge of safety and swimming skills.
Typical of these is Surf Life Saving WA’s Home Life Saver Course (20 September), which takes only two hours and costs $28.
“It’s for people who have pool at home, and is really invaluable,” said Mr Siciliano. “In that short time, people will learn things that could well save a life.”
There has been strong interest in the courses, but places are still available. However, bookings have to be made by Friday 10 September. Phone 9941 0900, or email gascoyne@dsr.wa.gov.au.
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