UNITY — National Drowning Prevention Week kicks off July 20, with plenty of fun activities planned at your local swimming pools.
Locally, the Unity Credit Union Aquatic Centre will feature something different each day. Monday’s afternoon public swim time will be an opportunity for visitors to bring their favourite pool floaty, while the evening will be a race between teams in recovering golf balls from various depths of the pool.
Make sure to have your Super Soakers ready on Tuesday, as that will be water gun day. And when the water wars are over, be sure to support the staff at their annual barbecue from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, Delta Co-op is picking up the tab, allowing everyone to enjoy the pool with free public swimming. There will also be chalk available for any poolside artists to doodle and a hidden water bottle challenge.
The beach balls are making a break for it on Thursday’s afternoon swim, while the evening will feature the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive challenge. The evening Aquasizers will also be treated to a Hawaiian Luau, with free mocktails after their workouts.
The final day will be a movie midnight swim, running from 10 p.m. to midnight for swimmers 13 years and older. The movie, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective will also be playing during this swim time.
Kerrobert Swimming Pool is also featuring a week full of fun for swimmers. Superhero Monday will kick off their week, demonstrating lifeguard rescues, CPR importance, importance of colours underwater and games of I Spy and treasure hunts for lifesaving equipment.
On Tuesday, the floaties will be out, highlighting the importance of never swimming alone and how to use equipment to create obstructions in the water.
Kerrobert’s pool staff will participate in the Swim to Survive challenge on “What if I get Wet Wednesday”. There may also be a special treat for swimmers on this day as well.
Thursday will be a day for the parents, showing them how important it is for kids to never swim alone. Kids will be allowed to “guard” the pool while staff demonstrate why it is important to follow the rules.
The week will wrap up with Fishing Boat Friday, a day dedicated to personal flotation devices. Swimmers will be able to build boats from pool equipment and race the pool length, as well as play a game of Sunny/ Stormy to learn what is acceptable weather to be in or near water.
Be sure to check in with your local swimming pools to see what activities they have planned in your community.
