Swimming lessons are being hosted by the Town of La Ronge. (Submitted photo/Connor Tessier)

By Derek Cornet

lifesaving

Swim lessons popular among tri-community youth

Aug 17, 2023 | 1:15 PM

There are more than 60 participants in the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program occurring at the downtown beach in La Ronge this week.

“The swim lessons are run Monday to Friday,” said community services manager Connor Tessier.

“Participants register with the town for a specific level and time slot between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and join us at the beach every day during that time throughout the week. The Bronze Medallion Leadership program runs Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a lunch break between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.”

The leadership program is the first step in certification to becoming a lifeguard, and participants are working towards earning their Bronze Medallion. The age of the participants ranges from 18 months old to 15 years old.

The Town of La Ronge is funding the program. The fee is $25 for swim lessons throughout the week and $150 for the Bronze Medallion.

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“We are a lakeside community, and our recreation activities are often close to or directly on the water,” Tessier said. “It’s important to teach water safety and risks associated with water as early and often as possible, so our community can recreate safely.”

Lessons are offered at the Patterson Park beach downtown La Ronge. (Submitted photo/Connor Tessier)

Tessier explained the Lifesaving Society did not offer the Northern Water Smart program in northern communities this year, so the municipality worked directly with the Lifesaving Society to host three qualified, experienced instructors throughout the week for a pre-registered program.

He added the benefits of a registered vs drop-in programs are that the instructors and participants have designated times to work in small groups on specific skills and track progress.

“The weather has held up and hasn’t interrupted any of the program. It’s remarkable to see our youth learning these valuable skills with our beautiful lake, wildlife and float planes in the background,” Tessier said.

“So far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I think the families that choose to participate in swim lessons understand the lifelong benefits of a program like this and are happy to see it offered this season.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com