POOL TO POOL TO BEACH BEACH
BUILDING BEACH CONFIDENCE 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
Delivered over the weekend of the 27 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
LEARNING THAT SAVES LIVES
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
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
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.
P O O L T O
B E A C H C A M P
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
People drowned in Victoria last year
WHY THIS PROGRAM IS NEEDED
Beach environments present unique and dynamic risks that differ signif icantly f rom pool settings
Key contributing factors to drowning incidents include:
Overconf idence in swimming ability
Limited understanding of ocean conditions
Swimming in unpatrolled or unfamiliar locations
Lack of knowledge of rip currents and hazard identif ication
Program data reinforces this need.
Before attending:
Only 2 par ticipants felt ver y conf ident understanding rip currents
7 par ticipants were not conf ident at all
This highlights a critical gap between conf idence and capability.
Many individuals feel comfor table 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 suppor ted 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
Bounce back from setbacks to maintain emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.
CONNECTEDNESS
Build and maintain caring relationships, knowing you matter and belong.
CAPABILITY
Set and pursue goals with motivation, understanding your role in the community.
DECISION-MAKING
Identify and solve problems ethically, with self-reflection.
SELF-AWARENESS
Understand your own feelings and thoughts
SELF-MANAGEMENT
Control impulses, stay motivated, and cultivate a growth mindset
SOCIAL AWARENESS RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Appreciate diversity, understand others' perspectives, and notice their struggles and successes
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, conf idence, and practical skills in real beach environments
A key feature of the program is its family-based model, where parents and children par ticipate together This suppor ts shared understanding and reinforces safer behaviour beyond the program.
Par ticipants were suppor ted 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 super vised setting
Build conf idence 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:
Por tsea SLC Tour
London Bridge Back B
Refelction Circle
REACH & DEMOGRAPHICS
Adul
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
Beach Safety Knowledge
Increase understanding of beach environments
Measurement
Pre/post survey
Key
Indicator of Success
Increase in conf ident responses
Risk Awareness
Improve hazard identif ication
Survey + observation
Reduction in lowconf idence responses
Rip Current Understanding Survey
Emergency Response
Build understanding of rips and response
Improve knowledge of what to do in emergencies
Survey + participation
Increase in conf idence, elimination of “ not conf ident”
Increased conf idence in response
Informed Conf idence
Build conf idence grounded in knowledge
Water Activity Conf idence
Increase comfort in ocean activities
Pre/post comparison
Conf idence increases alongside safety awareness
Participation + survey
Increased engagement and conf idence
Help-Seeking Behaviour
Encourage asking for help
Survey
Increased comfort seeking support
Family Learning Feedback
Strengthen shared understanding
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
SIGNIFICANT KNOWLEDGE GROWTH
Par ticipants left not just more conf ident but better equipped to make safer decisions.
This represents the most significant improvement across the program and directly addresses one of the leading causes of beachrelated
Participants showed strong improvement in identifying:
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
SAFETY KNOWLEDGE
Participants improved in: Knowing where to swim Understanding beach vs pool environments Knowing what to do in emergencies
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 conf idence 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 conf idence together.
What Par ticipants
Wanted to Learn
Rip currents
PARTICIPANT VOICE
Swimming in waves
Snorkelling
Safety skills
What They Learned
CPR
Rip current response
Safe swimming practices
What They Feel More
Conf ident About
Snorkelling
Swimming between the flags
Being in the ocean
Responding to rip currents
PARTICIPANT VOICE
Par ticipant reflections provide valuable insight into both the motivations for attending and the impact of the program.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS WANTED TO LEARN
Before the program, par ticipants expressed a strong desire to build both conf idence and understanding in beach environments
Common themes included:
Understanding rip currents and ocean conditions
Learning how to stay safe at the beach
Building conf idence in waves and deeper water
Developing snorkelling skills
Knowing how to help someone in trouble
These responses highlight that par ticipants 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
Par ticipants repor ted 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 under water 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
Par ticipants repor ted increased conf idence 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, conf idence increases were closely linked to specif ic knowledge and skills, rather than generalised conf idence
This reflects a key success of the program: Conf idence was built through understanding, not assumption
FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF THE WEEKEND
Par ticipant feedback highlights a strong connection between learning and enjoyment
Common responses included:
“Snorkelling”
“Kayaking”
“Jumping off the pier ”
“Making new f riends”
“Spending time with my family ”
“Ever y thing!”
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 impor tant outcomes of the program helping par ticipants develop a realistic understanding of risk
Rather than increasing fear, the program suppor ted par ticipants to:
Recognise potential dangers
Understand how to respond safely
Build conf idence 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
Par ticipants consistently praised the quality of food, with multiple responses identifying it as a highlight of the weekend.
This contributed to:
Overall satisfaction
Comfor t 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 suppor ted:
Family comfor t
Accessibility for par ticipants 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 f ree time
Allowing par ticipants to engage at their own pace
Suppor ting both learning and enjoyment
However, key learnings for future deliver y include:
Allowing more transition time between activities
Star ting activities slightly later to suppor t family routines
Finishing evening sessions earlier to accommodate younger children
These adjustments will fur ther enhance the par ticipant experience without compromising program outcomes.
LEARNING RESOURCES
The program booklet was identif ied as a signif icant strength.
Par ticipants:
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
am was made possible through the ar y effor ts of Nick Mar tin, who raised funds is English Channel swim.
bution:
d the program to be delivered at no cost to s
ved f inancial barriers to par ticipation sed accessibility for a wider range of s
por t directly contributed to the program’s
families who may not other wise attend preventative, life-saving education
PORTSEA SURF LIFESAVING CLUB
The Por tsea Surf Lifesaving Club played a critical role in program deliver y by:
Providing exper t knowledge
Delivering practical demonstrations
Suppor ting hands-on learning experiences
Par ticipants par ticularly valued:
Learning directly f rom 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.