Author: Eoin O'Driscoll

Conall Boyle, Lifeguard, County Cork

It’s never too early to learn swimming and lifesaving skills. I started swimming at six and began water safety classes aged eight. As a lifeguard, the lessons I learned have helped me save many lives. As an instructor, I now get to pass those skills on. Water safety classes are available in summer and winter at both coastal and inland locations. They are inexpensive and there are family discounts available. I’d urge anyone to get involved. These are skills that will stay with you for life.

Water Safety Ireland Summer Weeks Classes

1. These classes are suitable for all ages. From children as young as four to young adults at 19 years of age.
2. These classes foster a healthy respect for the water rather than an unhealthy fear. As an island nation, our waters are one of our greatest resources. These classes set you up to be able to enjoy them safely.
3. You’ll learn essential water safety and lifesaving skills.
4. Classes cover: Rescue skills, survival skills and resuscitation. 
5. The summer programme averages some 180 courses in 23 counties.
6. To find a class near you, just click here

As you know, the WSI National Awards Ceremony 2020 will take place online on Tuesday the 24^th of November 2020.

WSACs decided to postpone Long Service Volunteer Awards until next year, in the hope that we will have progressed through the Covid-19 pandemic sufficiently to allow members to meet each other at Dublin Castle next year.

This year’s Ceremony will acknowledge not only the rescuers from 32 incidents who saved 51 lives, but also the recipients of WSI Sports Persons of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Life Governor of WSI and some Community & Social responsibility Awards.

The Ceremony itself has been designed for online viewing purposes so the entire Ceremony will run for 30 minutes.

Thanks in advance for sharing any of the following links:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/JowqjnzjQlY

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watersafetyireland/posts/3687971741266053

Web: homepage at www.watersafety.ie at 7pm

Water Safety and life saving courses are due to return we ask that you fill out the following registration form!

Winter-Programme-Registration-Form-1 (1)

More information will be given by deck managers on covid-19 requirements for each area!

Press Release from Water Safety Ireland:

Children are at greater risk of drowning over the current period of COVID 19 restrictions

Over half a million primary school children are under the COVID19 restrictions which confines them to a diameter of 2 Kilometres from their home. Ireland by its geographical nature has many streams, rivers, canals, ponds, slurry and rainwater collection tanks, bog holes, wells, lakes and the seashore within this distance. From our research 6 out of 10 drownings occur at inland water sites and 8 out of 10 drownings occur close to the victims home. It is essential that parents maintain constant, responsible and uninterrupted supervision on their children to ensure they don’t gain access to these real hazards.

The Chairman of Water Safety Ireland has directed that all water safety classes be cancelled until further notice. The situation will be reviewed as the environment in relation to COVID 19 improves.

The Chairman regrets this decision but is taking it in the public interest and that of all our valuable volunteers nationwide who provide these important classes.

Congratulations to everyone representing Cork at National Surf Lifesaving Competition in Mulloughmore.  Big Congratulations to the Cork Senior Nippers on a fantastic win!

#CorkWaterSafety

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Water Safety Ireland – Cork Chairperson, Graham Kerr had the opportunity to meet Bondi Beach lifeguards Maxi and Leigh, who are touring the UK and Ireland with their social enterprise, Live Learn Survive ! A series of water safety workshops and books ? We’re very excited about working with them in the future ????

 

On Tuesday 7th May, Cork County Council in partnership with Midleton College and Water Safety Ireland launched the first Beach Lifeguard Academy ?‍♀️

The aim of this Academy is to train dedicated and specifically trained personnel to apply for Cork County Council’s Beach Lifeguard Service ?‍♂️To continue to provide the invaluable service offered on the beautiful beaches of County Cork ?

Students strive to achieve the National Beach Lifeguard Award from Water Safety Ireland ?‍??‍?

The Academy is an initiative of Cork County Council’s Water Safety office spearheaded by Water Safety Officer, Caroline Casey, and facilitated by Beach Lifeguard Tutor, Graham Kerr. Students of the Beachguard Academy will have the opportunity to visit and meet with a number of the lifeguard teams on duty throughout the season ??

Martin O’ Sullivan, Chairman of Water Safety Ireland was on hand at the launch event to speak to the trainee beach lifeguards. Mr O’Sullivan commended the initiative and all involved, noting that “Beach lifeguards make our beaches safe and Water Safety Ireland appeals to the public to swim at lifeguarded beaches.”

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Patrick Gerard Murphy, also praised the project describing it as “a very positive step for water safety. Cork County Councils beach lifeguard services manage thirteen beaches along the Cork coast and they are providing an invaluable service and play a significant role in our safe enjoyment of our wonderful beaches. The Beach Lifeguard Academy is a wonderful initiative and I look forward to seeing other schools coming onboard in the near future” ??

Caroline Casey, Water Safety Officer with Cork County Council, praised Midleton College’s involvement “We are very grateful to Midleton College for working in partnership with Cork County Council to get this new initiative off the ground. I would encourage post primary schools interested in working with Cork County Council to get in touch. The academy provides an excellent experience for the students, affording them the opportunity to learn invaluable life-long skills and work-shadowing opportunities on our beaches. They will qualify to apply to compete for the much sought after summer positions at our coastal beach-guard stations. This is a well paid post and the experience of working in a team, communicating with the public, participating in educational initiatives & keeping our beach users as safe as possible gives the students a great grounding in the workforce and is great for the C.V. too!”

The Council covers most of the fees, with schools facing a nominal fee for the exam. Schools interested in the 2019/2020 academy term should register their interest by emailing caroline.casey@corkcoco.ie. We have availability for 3 schools in the 2019/2020 school term so don’t delay, register your school’s interest today.

For more information on the Beachguard Academy please contact Cork County Councils Water Safety Officer caroline.casey@corkcoco.ie.

Pictured are Transition Year Students and future Beach Lifeguards; Principal of Midleton College, Dr. Gash; PE Teacher and TY Coordinator, Mr. Nugent; Chairman of Water Safety Ireland, Martin O’Sullivan; Water Safety Development Officer for Cork County, Caroline Casey; and Water Safety Assistant, Graham Kerr.

May 5th was a great day for Ireland with a GOLD for the girls in the 4x25m Manikin Relay with a new Irish Senior Record. The team was Katie Shannon, Tara McEvoy, Aisling Barry and Emma Kristiansen. ??
Aisling Barry also broke both Junior and Senior Record in the 100m Manikin Carry with fins and qualifies for the finals session this evening. Aisling also qualifies in the 50m manikin carry for this evening finals session. Finals started at 4pm Irish time and can be viewed online at https://rfess.es/…/soseuropecup19-desde-torrevieja-en-dir…/….