Drowning Prevention Week With Water Smart Activities
During National Drowning Prevention Week, July 16 to 23, 2011, the City of Vaughan has organized a series of water smart activities at Garnet A. Williams Pool and Thornhill Outdoor Pool.
The schedule of activities includes:
Water Smart Contest:
Monday, July 18 – Garnet A. Williams Pool, 501 Clark Avenue West, 1:30 – 4 p.m. Thornhill Outdoor Pool, 28 Centre Street, 2 – 7 p.m.
Children 7 years and under will colour paper life jacket cut-outs, and children 8 to 12 years of age will create a comic strip featuring one of three water smart messages – Swim with a Buddy, Always Wear a Life Jacket or Swim to Survive.
Life Jacket Clinic:
Tuesday, July 19 – Garnet A. Williams and Thornhill Outdoor Pools, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 – Thornhill Outdoor Pool, 4 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 – Thornhill Outdoor Pool, 4 – 6 p.m.
Sponsored by the Lifesaving Society, this clinic educates residents on why and when you wear a life jacket, choosing the proper fit, and where to purchase one.
Life-saving Training:
Tuesday, July 19 – Thornhill Outdoor Pool, 4 – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 – Garnet A. Williams Pool, 2 – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 – Garnet A. Williams Pool, 2 – 3 p.m.
Vaughan lifeguards teach youth various rescue and safety skills. The training takes place during regular recreational swim hours. Regular admission guidelines apply.
Production of a Water Smart Video:
Thursday, July 21 – Garnet A. Williams Pool, 5 – 8 p.m.
Residents and City of Vaughan staff are interviewed about what being water smart means to them.
Swim to Survive:
Monday, July 18 – Thornhill Outdoor Pool, 4 – 5 p.m.
Friday, July 22 – Garnet A. Williams Pool, 2 – 3 p.m.
Monday, July 18 – Thornhill Outdoor Pool, 4 – 5 p.m.
Friday, July 22 – Garnet A. Williams Pool, 2 – 3 p.m.
A skill development session where Vaughan lifeguards teach children the Swim to Survive program, the essential minimum skills required to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. The session takes place during regular recreational swim hours. Regular admission guidelines apply.
Aimed at increasing awareness of the need for drowning prevention, National Drowning Prevention Week is sponsored by the Lifesaving Society. The Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program is offered at Vaughan’s nine pools. City-operated Swim for Life lessons focus on in-water practice to develop essential self-rescue skills and effective swimming strokes.
Featured in the 2011 Spring & Summer Recreation Guide, Swim for Life is composed of a parent and tot program, preschool program, youth swimmer program, adult swimmer program, and a fitness swimmer program for children, teens and adults. Registration for summer swimming lessons is ongoing – refer to the guide for a complete list of programs.
The guide is available at City community centres, libraries and City Hall and online at www.vaughan.ca. For more information or assistance, call the Recreation and Culture Department at 905-832-8500 or visit www.vaughan.ca.