ASA Launch National Water Safety Campaign on Brighton Beach
A heat wave is forecast for this weekend and thousands of
people are expected to flock to our beaches and inland waters
to enjoy the sun and a cooling dip into the water. However,
around 500 people a year drown in the UK.
The Amateur Swimming Association is set to launch its 2005
national water safety campaign, Get Safe for Summer, on Monday
(20th June) at one of Britain's busiest beaches. Brighton
beach attracts tourists from across the country as well as
from overseas, yet the most popular section can present dangers
to new visitors.
Vicky Miller, Seafront Officer on Brighton Beach
commented: "The most popular section of Brighton
Beach has a sharp gradient into the water. The shoreline is
very shallow, but bathers who don't know the beach don't realise
that it gets deep very quickly. The Pier also present a few
dangers, but if people follow some basic water safety rules
then everyone can enjoy the beach safely."
Children from Varndean Secondary School in Brighton will
attend the launch on Monday from 2pm. The 11 and 12 year olds
will learn about the beach flags, basic resuscitation techniques
and the water safety code. Athens Olympic bronze medallist,
Steve Parry will be on hand to help launch the campaign, which
will go to ten regional venues around the country over the
next four weeks. Drowning in this country is still the 3rd
highest cause of death in children and in Europe it is the
2nd highest. Many of these drownings are young kids who know
how to swim, but were not aware of the dangers of open water.
This figure doesn't include the tragic number of deaths that
take place abroad during family holidays.
ASA Chief Executive, David Sparkes commented:
"As the national governing body for swimming, we are
taking a lead in promoting water safety so that everyone can
enjoy swimming safely this summer. Swimming is a key life
skill and we are continually working with government and schools
to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn to swim
and enjoy the water safely."
Local coast guards and lifeguards are supporting Monday's
National Launch by helping to deliver key safety messages
to the children, who will meet on one of the busiest sections
of the beach, east of the Pier at 2pm. Subject to availability,
a lifeboat and rescue helicopter will be available
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