Laurie Lawrence instructs Western Australia’s swimming instructors

August 2, 2022

Western Australia’s swimming instructors had the chance to learn from legendary coach and athlete turned water safety advocate, Laurie Lawrence, during a professional development course offered by Royal Life Saving Society - WA at the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre in the Perth suburb of Inglewood on Sunday.

The Olympic coach and former Wallaby guided over 30 instructors through a masterclass on stroke styles, drills and common faults to avoid, while fielding questions relating to the aquatics industry.

Swim school coordinators and staff also had the opportunity to develop their infant aquatics knowledge, with Lawrence’s daughter, Emma Lawrence, demonstrating early childhood skills development.

Royal Life Saving - Western Australia partnered with Lawrence, founder of Kids Alive - Do the Five, to support Endorsed Swim Schools continually improve their aquatic education delivery.

Stating that swimming is the only sport that can save a life and is particularly significant with the 2022 Commonwealth Games now underway, Lawrence stated “whether you’re involved in infant aquatics, junior stroke development, or elite swimming we must always build skills and I’m looking forward to sharing my swimming philosophies, garnered over the past fifty years, with members of the Royal Life Saving community in WA.”

According to the latest Western Australian Drowning Report, drowning rates in the state increased by 15% over the past year, with toddlers and young children at greatest risk.

Royal Life Saving Senior Manager- Education, Trent Hotchkin noted “this is particularly concerning given the number of children who had their lessons disrupted or discontinued over the past two years due to the pandemic.

“Teaching children Swim and Survive skills and water safety is the most important investment the community can make to reducing drowning.”

Images: Laurie Lawrence at the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre (top) and Lawrence with instructors at the event (below). Credit: Royal Life Saving Society - WA.

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25th July 2022 - Life Saving Victoria raises awareness on this World Drowning Prevention Day

22nd July 2022 - AUSTSWIM to mark World Drowning Prevention Day with discounted courses for new teachers

22nd July 2022 - Key Royal Life Saving research shows drowning risk of dams, ponds and irrigation channels

22nd July 2022 - Countdown to 2022 LIWA Aquatics Conference

8th July 2022 - Royal Life Saving report spotlights equal access issues to aquatic facilities

6th June 2022 - Royal Life Saving spotlights Federal Government’s commitment to aquatic centre upgrades

29th March 2022 - LIWA Aquatics launches Western Australian Aquatic Recreation Industry Awards

15th November 2021 - Royal Life Saving highlights ‘tens of thousands’ of job vacancies for lifeguards and swim teachers

15th October 2021 - City of Joondalup’s Craigie Leisure Centre team receive Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards

7th October 2021 - Lotterywest funding backs Royal Life Saving WA to deliver water safety education to at-risk communities

23rd August 2021 - Royal Life Saving provides guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations and aquatic facilities

28th May 2021 - ‘Famous Friends’ back Laurie Lawrence’s children’s water safety program

8th February 2021 - Laurie Lawrence repeats Kids Alive online swim sessions

5th July 2020 - Swimming legend Laurie Lawrence says outgoing Australian head coach is ‘a w**ker’

4th March 2019 - Laurie Lawrence’s online resource aims to improve swim teaching around the world

12th January 2017 - Royal Life Saving looks to prevent drowning in Western Australia’s migrant population

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