VacSwim lessons to go ahead at Cape Riche and Cosy Corner as City of Albany works to address review concerns

VacSwim lessons at Cosy Corner and Cape Riche are on track to return this summer with the Department of Education reversing its decision to cancel the summer holiday program. In May, community members were angered when the department announced it would cease swimming lessons at the beaches. At the time, the department said the open water sites presented risks that could not be mitigated, including “limited access” to emergency services and the absence of lifeguard patrols. The outcry led the department to undertake an independent review of its decision, which is now complete. Director general Jim Bell said the department is working with the City of Albany to implement the recommendations. “Enrolments are being taken at all three swim locations,” he said. “Availability of instructors will be confirmed closer to the commencement of lessons.” City of Albany acting executive director community services Paul Nielsen said the recommendations align ”with the City’s standard operations in these areas”. “The State Government has requested the City to ensure the installation of appropriate signage on site and regular infrastructure maintenance,” he said. “The City is confident that effective collaboration with the Department of Education to address initial risk and safety concerns will allow VacSwim to safely conduct swimming lessons at Cosy Corner and Cape Riche this summer.” Enrolments for the lessons, which are scheduled to take place over eight days in early January, were set to close last week. Wellstead mother Lisa Bone said it was such a relief to hear the lessons would be going ahead as it was one less thing to stress about during harvest. She said her kids were “yahooing” when she told them the news as they got off the bus. “The community can now relax a bit knowing that swimming is on,” she said. “Everyone was a little bit unsure about whether it was going to happen and we were getting closer and closer to the time. “It’s a bit of stress released that we don’t have to worry about getting our kids to Albany or Bremer Bay in the middle of harvest.” She said the risks identified by the review seemed like “they needed to be looked at across the board for the safety of students and swimming teachers”. “I think its a positive for all of VacSwim,” she said. Mr Nielsen said ensuring regional communities have access to swimming lessons “in their own backyard” was important for fostering safety, confidence and bonds within the City’s outlying communities. “Learning to swim is an essential life skill that every child should have the chance to embrace,” he said “By breaking down barriers to participation, we equip individuals with the skills to lead a safe and active life in, on, and around the water.” The review also identified potential issues caused by poor reception which the City will continue to work with higher levels of government to address. Lessons are usually held at the beaches in the two weeks after Christmas, with 36 students enrolled in lessons at Cosy Corner and 29 at Cape Riche during the most recent 2022-23 season.