Manitoba is home to over 100,000 lakes and beaches. As summer approaches, individuals and families in Manitoba are eager to enjoy the sunny days by the water. Despite the joy and relaxation that comes with spending time by the water, there is a significant and serious challenge that individuals and families in Winnipeg face: water-related incidents.
The Facts
Over 450 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents each year. | In Manitoba, there are 22 water-related fatalities annually. | Nearly 70% of drowning victims never intended to enter the water. |
Drowning can happen in mere seconds. Whether it’s a pool, lake, river, or ocean, water can be dangerous if precautions aren’t taken. Together, we can make water activities safer and just as enjoyable by improving our water competency, which includes swimming skills, water awareness, and helping others.
Empowering Our Community with Water Safety Skills and Confidence
Many people feel unprepared and unsure about water safety measures. At the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe and confident around water. With more than 90 years of experience teaching water safety and swimming skills, we are leaders in aquatic education.
How to Become More Water Safe
Water competency is about being safe around water by recognizing common hazards, developing key water safety skills, and knowing how to handle drowning emergencies. It consists of three main components: water smarts, swimming skills, and helping others. Join Us for National Drowning Prevention Week (July 21-27, 2024)
National Drowning Prevention Week is a movement that’s long been important to the Y. We encourage everyone to learn what they can do to prevent drownings, from following our water safety tips on social media, to learning to swim, to training in lifesaving techniques.
Water Safety Tips
- Keep children WITHIN ARMS REACH and supervise near water at all times.
- Always wear a lifejacket when in a boat.
- Stay sober in, on, and around water.
- Learn to swim and survive an unexpected fall into the water.
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Puddle jumpers and water wings are NOT the same as a lifejacket.
- Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for daily water safety tips.
Swim Lessons
The YMCA developed Canada's first national aquatic program and has been teaching water safety and swimming skills for over 90 years. It's never too early or too late to learn to swim. Call or visit us today to inquire about our wide selection of registered and specialty swim lessons for everyone in the family.
Get Certified
Share your love of swimming and save a life by becoming a certified lifeguard and swim instructor. Certification courses are running all summer long, opening the door to possible employment!