november 26 - december 2 | 2014
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At home in the water By KYLIE WILSON
HELPING KEEP KIDS SAFE:
Ange Reid (left) with swimming students (back, from left) William Sharp, Thomas Rosser, Oliver Sharp and Reese Sanderson; (middle, from left) Jack Dunstan and Emily McDonald, and (front) Thomas Paydon. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH
PETER
RSPCA
WITH
MISSY
FILM MY OLD
LADY
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
GRABBING bathers, a towel and a few friends and heading out for a swim, whether it be in a river, lake, dam or pool, is a summer tradition for most people in the North East. But without being properly prepared and learning the proper swimming skills, a simple swim can spell danger. According to Life Saving Victoria, 47 people drowned in Victoria from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 - up six from the previous year and the highest drowning toll in 10 years, including a 52 per cent increase in the drowning rate for the 15-24 year old age group and a 49 per cent increase in the drowning rate for adults over 60. With summer just days away, swimming teachers across the North East are helping to arm people of all ages with the skills they need to enjoy and be safe in the water. Ange Reid, who works as a swimming instructor at Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre, learnt to swim at three years old, whiling away many a summer’s day at Wangaratta’s Olympic Pool. With a cut lunch in her bag and friends by her side, it was not unusual for her to be at the pool from 10am until 8pm, especially as a teenager. She competed in swimming at state level while still at school, and in water polo at university. “Swimming’s been a good time for me,” Ange said. She has taught swimming since 1999, working for 10 years with schools in the Kiewa Valley before making the move to Wangaratta, and said a large part of her decision to take up teaching was to help keep children safe. continued page |
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