Making Waves in Safety and Confidence

Post Created: 23 April 2025

Participants across Onemda recently dived into an exciting two-day beach safety program hosted in partnership with Life Saving Victoria. Designed specifically for people with disability, the program delivered vital lessons on staying safe around water, just in time for summer....ok next summer! 

Day one kicked off at the Ringwood campus, where a dedicated Life Saving Victoria team led an interactive session on beach safety fundamentals. Participants learned why it’s important to always swim with someone, the significance of swimming between the red and yellow flags, and how to identify safe versus risky conditions at the beach.

Day two was all about action. The group headed to Port Melbourne beach, where they were able to put their knowledge into practice. With the help of trained professionals and adaptive equipment, participants got hands-on experience using water safety gear and trying out various strategies to stay safe in and around the water.

For many, this was more than just a beach day, it was about trying something new, pushing comfort zones, and learning skills that foster independence and confidence. The smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm from participants were clear indicators of just how valuable and enjoyable the experience was.

Programs like these remind us how important inclusive learning opportunities are. We’re already looking forward to bringing this program back during the warmer months, giving more participants a chance to build their water safety skills - and have a whole lot of fun doing it!