Grand Bend, Ont.

Experts agree that communications surrounding water safety and related training sources need to improve. Water Safety London’s goal is to make people in the London-Middlesex area aware of the importance of being fully prepared before entering any body of water. The initiative also aims to make local swim lessons and subsidy programs more easily accessible for everyone. Water Safety London hopes to guide inexperienced swimmers to this information and encourage them to get involved.

About Us

This past summer, 12 people were victims of water-related deaths in Southwestern Ontario’s lakes and rivers. Drownings have reached an all-time high, and the London area is no exception to this upward trend. Port Stanley’s main beach and St. Joseph near Grand Bend saw several incidents. Many of these drownings resulted from not wearing a lifejacket or poor swimming skills. Tragedies like these are often avoidable with flotation devices and swim lessons.

Drownings are becoming increasingly common, and poor communication is a large part of the problem. As a spokesperson for the Thames River Conservation Authority, Eleanor Heagy says that teaching people about the importance of water safety is a challenge. It is also difficult to make residents aware of the swim-related resources near them. Stephanie Bakalar, a representative for the Lifesaving Society (LSS) Ontario, says that most cities offer swim lessons and have subsidy programs for those who cannot afford them.

Jenna Smith: Program Manager, Membership Services, Aquatics & First Aid at Western University.

Working with Experts

Jenna Smith is the Program Manager for Aquatics and First Aid at Western University. With an extensive background in the aquatics field, she contributes valuable insights and expertise that will guide our organization. In support of Water Safety London’s mission to improve safe swimming communications, Jenna participated in an interview to shine light on the subject. She addresses the main factors preventing people from engaging with relevant resources and getting involved.

Scroll down to read through Jenna’s answers.

Insights from Jenna Smith

  • One of the biggest reasons is lack of knowledge and availability around water safety and water safety prevention. I believe people understand the importance, however, there can be many barriers to participation: financial, lessons are full, scheduling conflicts with other sports, etc.

    Immigration into Canada would be another impact in my eyes; they may underestimate the value of water safety and the dangers that are associated with it if they haven’t been around water often. In Ontario, we are fortunate to have so much water around us, however, that comes at a cost. Immigration to me also goes with communication and understanding - you need to flag if someone is a non-swimmer. I was guarding a backyard birthday party this summer and had to jump into the water for a non-swimmer. The parents did not speak English and did not communicate to us that she couldn’t swim and knew it was a swimming party. That situation could have been avoided.

    Weather and waves would also be a big proponent.

  • Resources – there is a huge demand for swimming lessons, however, the availability of qualified staff can be limiting. Also, pool space. At Western, we have many different programs running that it is hard to find available times where you can add more classes.

    As previously mentioned, language and cultural differences. Being able to connect with various communities and share the risks of water safety and why education and lessons are important. Maybe you don’t have access to these groups, or it could be that they don’t see a need until an emergency/incident occurs.

    Financial – it can be expensive for families who have rent/mortgages, groceries, bills, etc. Having another cost might not be feasible and respectfully, they need to ensure their families are fed with a place to live.

  • 100% and often. I have heard many adults saying I never learned so I want to make sure my child does. That is great but I remind them that water safety is for all ages, and we offer adult lessons so they should consider enrolling. Water safety is for all ages, not just children - ensuring they see that connection could be lifesaving.

    I also have seen many upset parents who brought their children to swim for public swims and assumed we’d watch them, and they didn’t have to get in the water. We explain they have to be in arms reach in the water. They view it as the lifeguards job, but we are a second set of eyes, parents/caregivers should always be the first.

  • At Western, we focus on providing lessons and continually increasing our compliment to cater to as many families and individuals as possible; lessons fill up SO fast in our community and we are doing our best to help individuals have a class to join.  

    By providing lessons from ages 3-99, it allows us to focus on offering lessons for anyone – student/faculty/staff or community member. We also have a program for individuals who identify as having a disability or impairment, which has been received so well. Next is to connect with the Western International office.

    Offering Standard First Aid and Advanced Aquatic programming to promote lifeguarding roles and increase the amount of lifeguards within the area as well as share the importance of safe swimming and the risks around water.

  • I’d want to clearly communicate that water safety is important for all ages. Whether you’re having a bath, going in a backyard pool, or going to a lake - there are so many risks, and we have to be educated about safe swimming to help prevent serious situations. Register in swimming lessons, have a conversation with a lifeguard, or research online, it is important to be informed and prepared if you’re ever by water. And register for swimming lessons!