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Water Safety Weekend
1st October 2022 @ 9:30 am – 2nd October 2022 @ 3:00 pm
The Mount Batten Centre Charity Trust are hosting a FREE weekend of water safety for Plymouth families on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd October.
“Drowning is preventable, yet over 400 lives are lost to drowning across the UK and Ireland, every year. Water safety education is vital and, in some instances, could be a child’s only opportunity to learn about the water.” Royal Life Saving Society UK
We are so lucky to live and work here in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, and water safety has been, and will always be, the most important aspect of everything we do here at the Centre. That is why we are so pleased to be able to these fully funded water safety activities. This weekend has been supported by the Whirlwind Charitable Trust and the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Rangers team.
Pre-booking is essential for this free event – please register your details via the booking link: https://www.mount-batten-centre.com/water-safety-weekend-october/
Activities:
Saturday 1 October – SwimSafe
Many children love swimming outdoors – but swimming in the sea, rivers and lakes is very different to swimming in a pool. Created by Swim England and the RNLI, and supported by a range of local partners, Swim Safe teaches children where it’s safe to swim, how to float and what to do if they or someone else get in trouble.
The hour-long SwimSafe sessions are led by trained instructors at outdoor water locations across the UK, including beaches and inland sites. We hold public sessions and sessions specially designed for school classes too. Participants need to be aged 7 minimum years and able to swim 25 metres unaided to take part. Participants need to bring swimwear, towel, shoes that can get wet. Wetsuits are provided, but if you have your own wetsuit please bring it.
Please meet by the yellow flag on Batten Beach at your allocated session time. Changing and showering facilities are provided at the Mount Batten Centre. Free parking is available on Lawrence Road and in the public car park facing Plymouth Sound. Batten beach can also be accessed by the number 2 bus service (please check timetable).
Sessions are available to be booked at: 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
There are a maximum number of 16 participants per session.
Sunday 2 October – British Canoeing Paddle Safer
The Go Paddling Paddle Safer course is designed for anyone new to paddling, or relatively inexperienced to paddling, wanting to gain knowledge and raise their awareness of paddling safely in a sheltered water environment, in or on the craft that they paddle. Typical craft will include sit on top kayaks and stand up paddleboards.
The Paddle Safer Course is based on learning and, as such, the ethos of ‘supporting the paddler’ is the main focus of the course, encouraging individuals to consider where they paddle, the equipment they use and provide practical solutions if they get into difficulty. The course covers four key modules:
– Equipment
– Environmental factors
– Planning
– Rescues
Session times: 9.30am to 3pm. Maximum 12 participants, pre-booking is essential and you are required to book a slot for every participant
Participants must bring: shoes that can get wet, swimwear, towel, warm clothes for post-session, packed lunch and drink.
