Pool to Beach Pilot Program 2026

POOL TO

BEACH

BUILDING BEACH CONFIDENCE THAT SAVES LIVES

LEARNING THAT SAVES LIVES Our Portsea – Sorrento community has always understood the power of our beaches, but also its risks.

That’s why the initiative of The Portsea Camp’s Pool to Beach Program in partnership with the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club has already made a meaningful impact and brought families closer to the water in a safer, more informed way.

Across Victoria, drowning remains a tragic and preventable reality. Last year alone, 52 lives were lost, with most incidents occurring at beaches during summer, closely followed by the Easter break. One of the leading causes?

Rip currents, often misunderstood, frequently underestimated, and responsible for the majority of rescues.

Delivered over the weekend of the 27th of March side by side with the Portsea Camp and Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, this pilot program was designed to help bridge a critical gap and provide families, beginners, confident pool swimmers wanting to learn more about open water safety, new Australians and immigrant families who may be unfamiliar with our beach conditions and parents who want to feel confident supporting their children in the water with practical skills, knowledge and confidence to enjoy our beaches safely.

Before attending the program, only a small number of participants felt confident identifying rip currents, while many had no confidence at all. This disconnect between confidence and capability is exactly where the Pool to Beach program steps in.

Over a fully immersive weekend, families learned side-by-side, building not just individual skills, but shared understanding.

From identifying hazards like rips, waves and rocks, to practising real-world responses in our beaches, the program focused on experience as much as education.

RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Participants showed significant improvement in: Understanding rip currents (with “not confident” responses dropping to zero) Identifying beach hazards Knowing where and how to swim safely Responding to emergencies And how to enjoy their time together safely for a day at the beach Perhaps most importantly, the program reframed confidence. Participants didn’t just leave feeling more confident, they left with informed confidence. The kind that leads to better decisions, safer behaviour, and ultimately, lives saved.

A PARTNERSHIP THAT DELIVERS This program would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of The Portsea Camps Experiences team, Henry Kiss and the team of volunteers at the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club. We are so thankful for their commitment to educating families and sharing real-world lifesaving knowledge in such an engaging, fun and practical way.

Their partnership with The Portsea Camp created a unique environment one where families felt safe, supported, and empowered to step outside their comfort zones.

From snorkelling and kayaking to lifesaving demonstrations and beach walks, the experience combined critical safety learning with connection, fun, and community.

NICHOLAS MARTIN - ENGLISH CHANNEL SWIM

POWERED BY AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN SUPPORTED BY AN EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY The Pool to Beach program was made possible with our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Nicholas Martin, whose English Channel swim raised vital funds needed to ensure that this program was fully subsidised and accessible. His remarkable effort opened the program to more families, from more communities, with our shared goal of saving more lives.

Nick’s outstanding and impactful contribution has ensured that essential water safety education reached those who might otherwise have missed out, creating benefits that will extend far beyond just one single weekend.

In addition, thanks to his incredible fundraising achievement, we are excited to begin the next phase of installing twelve new warm-water showers. This project will also include twelve thoughtfully designed change rooms featuring sensory elements such as reflexology stones, all brought to life in a fun, beach-box theme incorporating surfboards.

LOOKING AHEAD The success of the pilot program highlights a clear need and opportunity to grow. Demand was strong, engagement was high, and the outcomes were undeniable.

At its heart, Pool to Beach is about more than water safety. It’s about building resilience, strengthening family connections, and equipping our community with the knowledge to enjoy our coastline safely.

Because when it comes to our beaches, confidence alone isn’t enough, understanding and communication is key to saving lives.

POOL TO BEACH CAMP Making A Difference Outcomes Report

MARCH 2026

SUMMARY The Pool to Beach Program is a newly developed Making a Difference (MaD) initiative designed to support families in safely transitioning from pool swimming to beach environments.

Each year, drowning remains a significant and preventable cause of death across Victoria and Australia. Many incidents involve individuals who are confident swimmers in controlled environments, such as pools, but lack the knowledge and experience required to safely navigate open water conditions.

This program was developed in response to this gap.

Delivered as a fully subsidised weekend program for families, Pool to Beach supports both children and parents to build practical safety skills together, increasing the likelihood that learning will be applied beyond the camp experience.

The inaugural program demonstrated: Strong demand, reaching capacity and requiring a waitlist High levels of engagement across all activities Significant improvements in beach safety knowledge

RIPS 52

Are the leading cause of beach rescues and deaths

People drowned in Victoria last year

MOST INCIDENTS OCCUR IN SUMMER AT BEACHES

WHY THIS PROGRAM IS NEEDED Beach environments present unique and dynamic risks that differ significantly from pool settings.

Key contributing factors to drowning incidents include: Overconfidence in swimming ability Limited understanding of ocean conditions Swimming in unpatrolled or unfamiliar locations Lack of knowledge of rip currents and hazard identification Program data reinforces this need.

Before attending: Only 2 participants felt very confident understanding rip currents 7 participants were not confident at all This highlights a critical gap between confidence and capability.

Many individuals feel comfortable in the water, but do not yet have the knowledge required to recognise risk, respond appropriately, or make safe decisions in coastal environments.

The Pool to Beach Program addresses this gap by combining: Practical learning in real environments Exposure to ocean conditions in a supported setting Education for both children and parents This approach ensures that learning is not only understood, but experienced.

It was the best experience we have had. All staff were absolutely supurb. My kids and I wouldn't change a thing. Just do the exact same thing for other families.

Our Youth Capability Framework Our Capability Framework outlines the key attributes and skills that contribute to the well-being and resilience of young people.

It emphasises self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills.

We have designed all Programs to include this framework.

KEY ATTRIBUTES RESILIENCE

CAPABILITY

Bounce back from setbacks to maintain emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Set and pursue goals with motivation, understanding your role in the community.

CONNECTEDNESS Build and maintain caring relationships, knowing you matter and belong.

SELF-AWARENESS Understand your own feelings and thoughts.

SELF-MANAGEMENT

DECISION-MAKING Identify and solve problems ethically, with self-reflection.

SOCIAL AWARENESS Appreciate diversity, understand others' perspectives, and notice their struggles and successes.

Control impulses, stay motivated, and cultivate a growth mindset.

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS Build and value connections, showing empathy and understanding.

PACE MODEL We achieve all this by following the PACE Model: Playfulness: Engage with joy and spontaneity.

Acceptance: Respect the child's inner world without judgment.

Curiosity: Seek to understand the deeper meanings behind behaviors.

Empathy: Foster a supportive and nurturing environment.

This framework promotes a safe and accepting space for young people to express themselves and grow, ensuring their emotional well-being and development.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Pool to Beach Program is a weekend-based immersive experience designed to build water safety knowledge, confidence, and practical skills in real beach environments.

A key feature of the program is its family-based model, where parents and children participate together. This supports shared understanding and reinforces safer behaviour beyond the program.

Participants were supported to: Learn practical beach safety skills Understand the difference between pool and ocean environments Identify hazards such as rip currents, waves, and rocks Practise skills in a safe and supervised setting Build confidence through real-world experience Program Structure Friday: Welcome and connection activities Saturday: Rotational activities Kayaking Snorkelling Surf lifesaving presentation Practical surf lifesaving session Trivia Night Sunday: Portsea SLC Tour London Bridge Back Beach Walk Refelction Circle

REACH & DEMOGRAPHICS Participants Toddlers 2

8

Adults 13 Children 13

FAMILIES (28 Participants)

Average Age Children 8

24

AVERAGE AGE

Adults 45

Program Length

Region West Melbourne 12.5%

Saturday Day 12%

East Melbourne 12.5%

Mornington Peninsula 75%

Full Weekend

REACH & PARTICIPANT PROFILE WHAT THIS TELLS US As a first-time pilot, the Pool to Beach Program demonstrated strong local demand and engagement.

The majority of participants were from the Mornington Peninsula, indicating strong relevance within the local community. The high proportion of families attending the full weekend reflects a willingness to commit to immersive learning experiences.

The diversity of participant needs highlights the importance of delivering the program in a safe, inclusive, and supported environment.

Importantly, while demand was strong, the program reached fewer new Australian families than intended. This represents a clear opportunity for future growth, particularly given that unfamiliarity with beach environments is a known risk factor in drowning incidents.

Overall, the data indicates: Strong demand for family-based safety programs High engagement with immersive learning models Clear opportunity to expand reach and impact

OBJECTIVES & MEASUREMENT FRAMEWORK Attribute

Aim

Measurement

Key Indicator of Success

Beach Safety Knowledge

Increase understanding of beach environments

Pre/post survey

Increase in confident responses

Risk Awareness

Improve hazard identification

Survey + observation

Reduction in lowconfidence responses

Rip Current Understanding

Build understanding of rips and response

Survey

Increase in confidence, elimination of “not confident”

Emergency Response

Improve knowledge of what to do in emergencies

Survey + participation

Increased confidence in response

Informed Confidence

Build confidence grounded in knowledge

Pre/post comparison

Confidence increases alongside safety awareness

Water Activity Confidence

Increase comfort in ocean activities

Participation + survey

Increased engagement and confidence

Help-Seeking Behaviour

Encourage asking for help

Survey

Increased comfort seeking support

Family Learning

Strengthen shared understanding

Feedback

Evidence of shared learning

OUTCOMES & IMPACT CONFIDENCE REFRAMED A key outcome was a shift from perceived confidence to informed confidence.

Participants arrived confident, but through learning: Recognised gaps in their understanding Developed safer decision-making Built confidence grounded in knowledge

Participants left not just more confident — but better equipped to make safer decisions.

SIGNIFICANT KNOWLEDGE GROWTH Rip Current Understanding Before: 2 “Very Confident” 7 “Not Confident at All” After: 5 “Very Confident” 0 “Not Confident at All” This represents the most significant improvement across the program and directly addresses one of the leading causes of beachrelated incidents.

Before

After

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Very Confident

Not Confident at All

HAZARD AWARENESS

Before

After

8

Participants showed strong improvement in identifying: Waves Rips Rocks

6

4

2

0

Before

Very Confident

After

SAFETY KNOWLEDGE

7 6

Participants improved in: Knowing where to swim Understanding beach vs pool environments Knowing what to do in emergencies

5 4 3 2 1 0

Not Confident at All

Very Confident

Not Confident at All

PRACTICAL CONFIDENCE Participants reported increased confidence in: Snorkelling Swimming in ocean environments Participating in water-based activities 9 participants reported being “Very Confident” post-program.

Before

After

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Very Confident

Not Confident at All

INTERPRETATION The data demonstrates strong positive outcomes across all key areas.

The most significant improvements were: Rip current understanding Hazard identification Emergency response knowledge Importantly, the program supported participants to develop more realistic and informed confidence.

This is a critical safety outcome.

In beach environments, confidence without understanding can increase risk. By contrast, confidence grounded in knowledge supports safer behaviour and better decision-making.

In water safety, realistic confidence saves lives.

EXPERIENCE & ENGAGEMENT The Pool to Beach Program delivered a highly engaging and well-balanced experience, combining practical learning with opportunities for connection, enjoyment, and shared family time.

Participant feedback indicates that the program successfully created an environment where families felt: Safe and supported Comfortable asking questions Encouraged to try new experiences Connected to both their own family and others A key strength of the program was its ability to balance structured learning with enjoyable, memorable experiences. This balance ensured that participants remained engaged throughout the weekend while still absorbing critical safety information.

HIGHLY VALUED EXPERIENCES Participants consistently identified the following as highlights of the weekend: Snorkelling and exploring underwater environments Kayaking and being active on the water Jumping off the pier and building confidence in open water Spending quality time with family Making new friendships with other participants The overall camp experience, including shared meals and informal connection Snorkelling, in particular, emerged as a standout activity. It provided a unique combination of: Skill development Confidence building Enjoyment and curiosity This aligns strongly with the program’s aim to introduce participants to ocean environments in a positive and supported way.

FAMILY CONNECTION AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT Unlike traditional camp programs, the Pool to Beach model placed a strong emphasis on family participation.

Participants reported: Enjoying shared experiences with their children or parents Learning together in a relaxed and supportive environment Building confidence not just individually, but as a family unit In addition to family connection, there was also strong evidence of social engagement across families. Participants spoke about: Making new friends Feeling part of a community Sharing experiences and learning from others

The program created a space where families could learn, connect, and build confidence together.

PARTICIPANT VOICE

What Participants Wanted to Learn

Rip currents Swimming in waves Snorkelling Safety skills What They Learned

CPR Rip current response Safe swimming practices

What They Feel More Confident About

Snorkelling Swimming between the flags Being in the ocean Responding to rip currents

PARTICIPANT VOICE

Participant reflections provide valuable insight into both the motivations for attending and the impact of the program.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS WANTED TO LEARN Before the program, participants expressed a strong desire to build both confidence and understanding in beach environments.

Common themes included: Understanding rip currents and ocean conditions Learning how to stay safe at the beach Building confidence in waves and deeper water Developing snorkelling skills Knowing how to help someone in trouble These responses highlight that participants were aware of their knowledge gaps and were seeking practical, applicable skills.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS LEARNED Post-program responses demonstrate that these learning goals were largely achieved.

Participants reported learning: CPR and emergency response skills How to identify and respond to rip currents Where it is safe to swim and why How to snorkel and navigate underwater environments General beach safety principles The repetition of “rip currents” across responses reinforces that this was one of the most impactful and retained learning areas.

It was so valuable learning together about water safety and understanding people's strengths and weaknesses. We loved getting to know the other families that came along.

My kids are still talking about how great the camp was.

Thanks again.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT Participants reported increased confidence in: Snorkelling and water-based activities Swimming between the red and yellow flags Being in the ocean environment Responding to situations such as being caught in a rip General beach safety awareness Notably, confidence increases were closely linked to specific knowledge and skills, rather than generalised confidence.

This reflects a key success of the program: Confidence was built through understanding, not assumption.

FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF THE WEEKEND Participant feedback highlights a strong connection between learning and enjoyment.

Common responses included: “Snorkelling” “Kayaking” “Jumping off the pier” “Making new friends” “Spending time with my family” “Everything!”

The inclusion of both activity-based and relational responses demonstrates that the program successfully delivered: Skill development Enjoyment Social connection

100% of PARTICPANTS RATED THE PROGRAM 5/5 STARS

PARTICIPANT QUOTE “We think this weekend has helped my child realise that the beach can be dangerous.”

This quote captures one of the most important outcomes of the program — helping participants develop a realistic understanding of risk.

Rather than increasing fear, the program supported participants to: Recognise potential dangers Understand how to respond safely Build confidence through knowledge

Understanding risk is a critical step in preventing harm and building safe behaviours.

PROGRAM DELIVERY & QUALITY The Pool to Beach Program was delivered to a high standard, with strong feedback across key operational areas.

CATERING AND FACILITIES Participants consistently praised the quality of food, with multiple responses identifying it as a highlight of the weekend.

This contributed to: Overall satisfaction Comfort and wellbeing Positive perception of the camp experience Accommodation arrangements, which ensured families stayed together with access to private facilities, were also highly valued. This supported: Family comfort Accessibility for participants with additional needs A more relaxed and inclusive environment

PROGRAM DESIGN The structure of the program was effective in: Providing a balance between structured activities and free time Allowing participants to engage at their own pace Supporting both learning and enjoyment However, key learnings for future delivery include: Allowing more transition time between activities Starting activities slightly later to support family routines Finishing evening sessions earlier to accommodate younger children These adjustments will further enhance the participant experience without compromising program outcomes.

LEARNING RESOURCES The program booklet was identified as a significant strength.

Participants: Referred to it throughout the weekend Took it home as a resource Shared it with others This demonstrates its value as both: A learning tool A post-program resource that extends impact beyond camp

Providing take-home resources helps extend learning beyond the camp experience

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS NICK MARTIN – PROGRAM FUNDER The program was made possible through the extraordinary efforts of Nick Martin, who raised funds through his English Channel swim.

This contribution: Enabled the program to be delivered at no cost to families Removed financial barriers to participation Increased accessibility for a wider range of families Nick’s support directly contributed to the program’s ability to: Reach families who may not otherwise attend Deliver preventative, life-saving education

PORTSEA SURF LIFESAVING CLUB The Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club played a critical role in program delivery by: Providing expert knowledge Delivering practical demonstrations Supporting hands-on learning experiences Participants particularly valued: Learning directly from lifesavers Real-world insights into beach safety Practical demonstrations of rescue techniques

CONCLUSION The Pool to Beach Program successfully addresses a critical safety need through a combination of education, experience, and family engagement.

The program achieved: Significant increases in knowledge and awareness A shift from perceived to informed confidence High levels of participant engagement and satisfaction Made possible through the generosity of Nick Martin, the program demonstrates the powerful impact of community-supported initiatives.

With strong demand, clear outcomes, and opportunities for growth, the Pool to Beach Program has the potential to become a flagship preventative safety initiative within the Making a Difference portfolio.

TOGETHER WE’RE BUILDING

ADVENTURE, LAUGHTER, CONNECTION AND MEMORIES THAT

LAST A LIFETIME