Swimming SA’s Ocean Splash campaign is under way at Eastern Beach, in East London, and runs until Friday next week.
The wide-ranging programme, funded by Swimming SA, teaches children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds about water safety.
On Tuesday, more than 30 children from BCM’s rural and township areas were taught to wade, duck-dive, catch a wave and use a boogie board.
Buffalo City Aquatics president Lionel Poovan said the aim of the programme was to reduce the number of drownings.
We in the Eastern Cape are surrounded by rivers, dams and the ocean. Children are attracted to water. Swimming SA, in conjunction with Buffalo City Aquatics, are trying to reduce the number of drownings in SA
“Swimming is not only a sport but also a life skill,” Poovan said.
“We in the Eastern Cape are surrounded by rivers, dams and the ocean. Children are attracted to water. Swimming SA, in conjunction with Buffalo City Aquatics, are trying to reduce the number of drownings in SA.
“We will also be doing a rural dam programme next year. Buffalo City Aquatics is grateful to be part of this programme.
“Most of the kids we have in the programme do not have the luxury to join swimming clubs and be taught how to swim.
“We want them to have the basics on how to swim and give them the crucial training they need.
“We want one day to have one of them represent SA and Buffalo City in the Olympics because the number of professional swimmers and surfers is limited. With initiatives like these, we can change that.”
Swimming SA said: “The programme is a continuation of the awareness programme mainly conducted to expose people in the coastal areas to the reality of drowning in the ocean, ideally to be conducted during the festive season.
“People around the country mainly visit the ocean during the festive season and their main priority is to have fun.
“The programme carries through what people want, which is fun, but that is combined with safety, which is far more crucial.”
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