Ottawa pool spearheads free lifesaving swimming program for teens

The sounds of splashing and the smell of chlorine are memories many people have from their childhood, but some aren’t given the same opportunities at their local pool due to financial barriers.

This is what drove the I Love to Lifesave program, an opportunity for youth in Ottawa to learn lifesaving swimming skills and have fun. Money plays a role in people learning to swim, a city press release reads.

To combat this, Marc Latreille, recreation supervisor at the Splash Wave Pool in Gloucester, and his team wanted to participate in the program and offer the opportunity to local teens in the east Ottawa community.

“It provides opportunities for youth and teens to practice swimming skills, become more proficient swimmers, and serves as initiation to the programs offered by the Lifesaving Society, to develop lifesaving techniques and drowning prevention,” Latreille said.

Outside of regular registration and aquatic offerings, the program is funded from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

There’s no cost to participants to ensure anyone can be involved. Latreille said he “jumped” at the opportunity to serve the program and be involved more with high schools and community groups.

“It was opening the door to allow more kids to become water smart, learn leadership skills and, more importantly, have a good time,” he said.

Friday nights are when the pool hosts the program. Those participating from the area were really eager to join, Latreille said.

The program launched in January and operated using a style that had a set amount of instruction time per week, the press release notes. Latreille wanted to create a “teen club atmosphere” that also taught youth lifesaving skills at their own pace.

One of the goals was to get participants their Bronze Star or Bronze Medallion awards, a qualification offered through Lifesaving Society that teaches water safety skills, endurance swimming and CPR.

“My fellow colleagues thought that I was somewhat ambitious with that,” reflected Latreille. “Even the staff here (Splash Wave Pool) were like, ‘wow, that that would be a big step.'”

By the end of June when the program was wrapping up, 12 candidates received their Bronze Star and six of the group also received their Bronze Medallion. Four of those teens then moved on to reach their Bronze Cross qualification later in the summer.

“As young teenagers, to see them wanting to become lifeguards and seek part time employment with the City is pretty cool,” Latreille said.

The success at the Splash Wave Pool has resulted in the municipality running the program at other facilities.

The fall session of the program is running at Sawmill Creek (women’s only program), Nepean Sportsplex, Splash and St. Laurent.