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Jersey Sport supports over 900 children in Jersey to swim safely in the sea this summer

Jersey Sport continues to Inspire an Active Jersey by teaching 900 children aged 9-10 years, from 30 local primary schools, to swim safely in the sea through Swim Safe. The water safety programme for children created by Swim England and RNLI, was recently delivered in partnership with the Bosdet Foundation.

The programme is designed to educate children on how to stay safe in and around open water, help them to learn vital open water safety skills, whilst enjoying and experiencing our beaches. Swim safety sessions were delivered during June and July at various bays around the island, run by qualified Swim Safe Instructors and beach lifeguards from the Bosdet Foundation and the Jersey Sport Swim Team.

Alan Le Pavoux, Charity Manager at Bosdet Foundation said; “I am delighted to have been part of delivering another successful Swim Safe programme. It has been fantastic to see so many children learning essential swimming skills and understanding what is required to keep themselves safe when in open water. Our partnership with Jersey Sport has enabled us to reach 93% of year five children in Jersey, which I believe nowhere else in the UK can boast such a high level of engagement. Such high engagement will have a positive impact on the number of young islanders using our beaches and open water in the future.”

Insight shows 82% of children in Jersey are currently not active enough to support good mental and physical health. In addition, children who perceive themselves as ‘not well off’ are 17% less likely to visit open spaces regularly. Children and adolescents should do at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity. By delivering Swim Safe we are helping to reduce these barriers and enabling children in Jersey to learn and experience outdoor swimming which provides many health benefits, including being a great form of cardiovascular exercise, lowering the risk of diseases, and helping to reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression.

Martine Le Guilcher, Swimming Development Officer at Jersey Sport said; “We’re extremely proud to be able to offer the Swim Safe programme to all children in Year 5 once again this year, supporting them to learn how to safely and confidently swim in Jersey’s waters. Sea swimming is a lifelong skill and will help them throughout their life to be more physically active.”

To find out more about the Swim Safe, Water Safety Programme, please visit: www.jerseysport.je/school-swimming-programme