More than 1,700 Oakville students complete Swim to Survive program

Town’s drowning prevention initiative teaches children essential swimming skills

In recognition of Drowning Prevention Week (July 20–26), the Town of Oakville is proud to highlight the success of its Swim to Survive program, with more than 1,700 Grade 3 students recently completing the training. Delivered in partnership with the Lifesaving Society and generously sponsored by FirstOntario Credit Union, the program teaches vital skills to help children survive an unexpected fall into deep water, including how to roll into deep water, tread water for one minute, and swim 50 metres.

According to the Lifesaving Society, drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under the age of 10. Since 2007, more than 20,000 Oakville children have completed the Swim to Survive program. With continued support from FirstOntario Credit Union, the Town is committed to reaching even more young swimmers in the years ahead.

To promote water safety more broadly, the Town invites families to take part in Community Play Night swims. These free leisure swims are held weekly at various outdoor pools this summer. These fun and accessible events are designed to help reinforce water safety in a family-friendly environment. Upcoming dates include: Brookdale Pool (July 16), Wedgewood Pool (July 23), Lions Pool (July 30), Falgarwood Pool (August 6), Bronte Pool (August 12), Brookdale Pool (August 20), Wedgewood Pool (August 27), and Lions Pool (September 3).

As part of the Drowning Prevention Week efforts, Town Hall will light up blue on July 25 in support of World Drowning Prevention Day. This global initiative raises awareness about the tragic and lasting impact of drowning on families and communities, while promoting life-saving education to help prevent it. In addition, outdoor pools will host special activities during leisure swims from July 20 to 26, engaging residents to learn about water safety in fun and meaningful ways.

The Town offers a wide range of aquatic programs focused on drowning prevention, including swimming lessons through the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program, available at all Town pools. For more information, visit our Aquatics Programs page.