Harwich Haven Authority fund the 2021 Swim Safe programme in Dovercourt

30 June 2021

Harwich Haven Authority is partnering with Swim England and the RNLI to fund the delivery of a Swim Safety programme to the children of Dovercourt and Harwich during July and August.  

The free Swim Safe sessions are focused on teaching school-aged children, how to stay safe and what to do if they get into difficulties in, on, and around open water.  Everyone between the ages of 7 and 14 years old, who can swim 25 metres unaided, is welcome to take part.

Tendring Water Safety Forum member, Harwich Haven Authority, support of the Dovercourt Swim Safe programme will ensure that in excess of 500 local children have access to this invaluable experience either through their school or via public sessions.

Tendring District Council is also funding a Swim Safe programme in Clacton, which will start on 16 August.

“We funded the Swim Safe programme in Dovercourt Bay in 2019 and it was a huge success,“ says Neil Glendinning, Chief Executive, Harwich Haven Authority.

“As the East of England’s largest trust port our organisational remit is to ensure safety of navigation for vessels within our 150 square mile area of jurisdiction. The Swim Safe programme very much aligns to our remit and as this year’s Maritime Safety Week, 5-9 July 2021 is focused on drowning prevention we will certainly be speaking lots about our involvement with the Swim Safe programme to our industry partners.

“With overseas travel restrictions still in place we are expecting the local beaches to be busier than ever this year, so it’s even more important that local families take advantage of these free sessions.

“I am convinced the work Swim England and the RNLI are doing to educate young people through this programme is vitally important and will ultimately save lives. ”

Ashley Jones, Swim England’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Manager, commented: “New research has really highlighted the impact of Covid and how many children have missed out on swimming lessons during the pandemic.

“Figures suggest that by the end of the 2020-21 academic year, 240,000 fewer children will be able to swim 25 metres compared to the previous academic year.

“Given the last 12 months, and with many choosing to stay local for summer breaks this year, it is even more important for youngsters to attend Swim Safe sessions, which provide crucial water safety advice.

“We are immensely grateful to Harwich Haven Authority for funding the 2021 Swim Safe programme in Dovercourt.”

The public Swim Safe sessions will be available to book in early July. Go to swimsafe.org.uk for further information.

For further information about this news release contact Fiona Brunning, Corporate Affairs Manager, Harwich Haven Authority on 01255 243030 or 07425 632090 – [email protected]