By Staff Reporter
In November 2023, the Survival Swimming Sunshine Coast team were approached by St Andrew’s College pupil, Oliver Hutton, who volunteered his services at their Pop-Up Survival Swimming Sessions in Kenton-On-Sea over the festive period.
In early 2024, Oliver contacted the team again and asked if it would be possible to set up a Survival Swimming Programme at St Andrew’s College. With the help and support from Ncumisa Mzaza, the Community Engagement Officer and Grant Mackenzie, director of water polo and swimming, the
appropriate permissions were granted by the school.
Mzaza had already contacted Station 11 to volunteer her services as a Water Safety Education Instructor (Crew intake early 2023 and was handed over to me to include in SS Programme), but due to scheduling conflicts had not actually been able to attend any of the scheduled training), so she was particularly excited about the project and asked if we include WSE to the programme.
The SAC Community Engagement Office’s outreach programme reaches as far as Cradock, so they are excited about expanding their reach.
Mackenzie, in his personal capacity, Turbo South Africa had also heard of the Sunshine Coast Programme and donated over 150 new Speedo girls swimming costumes to the programme at the end of 2023.
The official launch and showcase will take place on Saturday, 19 October at the DT Hudson Pool complex at St Andrew’s College. A total of 45 Grade 6 and 7 pupils from the Good Shepherd School in Makhanda will be given SS lessons during the launch.
WSE Talks will be given to all pupils at Good Shepherd School on 18 October as part of the Train the Trainer approach.
St Andrew’s College pupils and educators have volunteered to receive training as instructors and administrators of the programme. Training will take place on Thursday, 17 October (Theory) and Friday, 18 October (Practical in the pool). So far 40 pupils have volunteered.
SS and WSE Training and instruction will be done by Caville Abrahams and Mondray Arries from the Drowning Prevention Western Cape Region with the Sunshine Coast Survival Swimming Team assisting.
The St Andrew’s College Survival Swimming Project will fall under the Sunshine Coast Survival Swimming Programme overseen by Station 11 in Port Alfred.
Ncumisa Mzaza – 071 04762 60
Grant MacKenzie – 083 454 2725
https://www.turbosa.co.za
