A free initiative which has taught thousands of north Essex children how to stay safe at sea is expanding into Felixstowe as it celebrates its seventh year.

Swim Safe, delivered in partnership with Swim England and Harwich Haven Authority, will run from early July until the end of August on both the Tendring and East Suffolk coasts.

It comes as Harwich Haven Authority celebrates Maritime Safety Week, beginning July 6 – a national awareness week promoting water safety.

The Swim Safe sessions are open to children aged 7 to 14, providing vital and potentially lifesaving knowledge to stay safe in, on and around open water.

Linzi Jobber, Sustainability Manager at Harwich Haven Authority, said: “We are proud to continue supporting Swim England’s Swim Safe programme, helping thousands of local children gain vital water safety skills and confidence in open water.

“Expanding these popular sessions into Suffolk is a huge milestone and reflects the popularity of these hugely important, potentially lifesaving courses.

“At Harwich Haven Authority, we want to ensure our waters are safe for everyone to enjoy and supporting young people to understand how to stay safe in and around the water is a key priority for us.

“The Swim Safe programme is an excellent initiative that gives children practical lifesaving knowledge while encouraging them to enjoy the water responsibly. We’re delighted to play a part in making these opportunities available to families across our community.

“We would encourage parents and guardians to sign children up for this summer’s sessions and help more young people benefit from this fantastic programme.”

Swim Safe was first launched in Cornwall in 2013 before being introduced to Harwich in 2019.

More than 3,000 children have taken part locally since.

Sessions are available for both school groups and the public and take place at Dovercourt Bay Beach in Essex and opposite the Felixstowe Leisure Centre.

Children must be able to swim at least 25 metres unaided to take part in the sessions.

Adam Goymer, National Water Safety Manager at Swim England, said: ”Swim Safe, now in its 13th year, provides children with the opportunity to apply their self-rescue skills learnt during indoor swimming lessons into an outdoor environment.

“Supported by a trained Swim Safe instructor, children take part in four games, bringing the Water Safety Code to life, before entering the water to complete a safe self-rescue circuit of in-water skills.

“Swim Safe is a fun way to get children ready for safe swimming in open water.”

More information on available dates and how to book a session can be found at www.swimsafe.org.uk.