Representatives with the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba paid a visit to the Altona Aquatic Centre last week to celebrate the success and value of the newcomer swimming program offered in Altona for the past few years.
The program has been funded for two years through the Manitoba Coalition for Safer Waters and administered by the Lifesaving Society.
Buddy, their official mascot, joined them on their visit, which also coincided with National Drowning Prevention Week.
Executive director Stacey Grocholski shared that over 450 people fatally drown annually in Canada, making it the second leading cause of unintentional death for children and the third leading cause of unintentional death for adults. Most drownings take place in July.
“We wanted to raise some awareness of the magnitude of drowning,” Grocholski said. “We know, disproportionately across Canada, that newcomers and Indigenous peoples are drowning more than the average Canadian. So, that’s something that we really focus on.”
Grocholski said she’s happy to see that more such programs are popping up across rural Manitoba as newcomers settle outside of urban areas.
Val Klassen, a Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) coordinator with Regional Connections, is celebrating three years of success with the program that’s been making waves in the community.
The newcomer swimming lessons, offered free-of-charge, are not only teaching essential water skills but also fostering a sense of belonging for Altona’s newest residents.
Klassen said when she sees the satisfaction on the faces of newcomer students as they learn to swim, she knows the impact is profound.
“Previously, these students would sit at the edge of the pool, unsure of how to participate in water activities. Now, they’re diving in, gaining confidence, and acquiring lifesaving skills.”
For many of these newcomers, swimming lessons are a first-time experience. Having come from countries with limited access to water, they’re unfamiliar with water safety. The program focuses on children who have never had formal swimming instruction, including older kids who might feel hesitant to join classes with younger children.
One unique aspect of the program is its female-only classes, taught by female instructors. These sessions provide a safe space for young girls who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to swim.
The initiative began when Altona recreation manager Eric Hildebrand discovered funding opportunities through the Manitoba Coalition for Safer Waters. “
We wanted to break down financial barriers and ensure that our newest community members felt comfortable at the Aquatic Centre,” Hildebrand explained. When grant funding fell short one year, the Curtis Klassen Memorial Fund stepped in to cover costs.
Altona has seen an influx of newcomers in recent years, and Hildebrand says taking swimming lessons is another way of integrating these families.
“Children, especially those learning English as a second language, want to connect with their peers. And where do they gather during summertime? Right here at the Aquatic Centre.”
In addition to teaching swimming skills, the program educates parents about the Aquatic Centre’s rules, admission fees, and safety protocols.
Grocholski said those protocols apply to everybody, in any body of water, be it a pool or a lake.
“If you’re not a strong swimmer, wear a life jacket. If you are boating, wear a life jacket. Don’t boat or swim under the influence, whether it’s cannabis or alcohol. Swim with a buddy. These are basic rules. And take swimming lessons. They are such an important thing for a life skill. We also teach a Swim to Survive program, to save yourself if you find yourself in the water unexpectedly.”
