Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) is diving into delivering a comprehensive Water Safety Program designed specifically for women, youth and young adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. 

Running from 26 August 2026 to March 2027, the eight-month program will reach communities across the state, with sessions held in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie and Smithton. It's a significant step towards tackling Tasmania's drowning statistics while giving CALD families a genuine sense of belonging in and around the water.

For many participants, the journey starts with something as simple as feeling comfortable in a swimming pool. The program begins with pool familiarisation sessions, helping participants overcome barriers to accessing aquatic facilities, understand pool safety rules, and gradually acclimatise to the water. From there, participants move into survival swimming sessions to build essential water survival skills, before progressing into a ten-week course of learn-to-swim lessons covering foundational strokes and techniques. 

Once confidence is built in the pool, the program heads to the coast, where Safe Water and Surf Education sessions teach participants how to recognise dangerous conditions in and around water. A series of Beach Safety and Activity Days bring it all together with beach safety lessons, fun aquatic activities, and cultural experiences that celebrate the diversity of the communities involved.

While the practical skills are at the heart of the program, its impact runs much deeper. Participants and their families gain leadership and communication skills alongside their swimming ability, and many go on to become role models within their own communities, encouraging others to learn to swim and stay safe around water. It's an approach that recognises water safety as a community issue, not just an individual one. 

By empowering CALD women, youth and young adults with these skills, SLST hopes to see a ripple effect across Tasmania's migrant and refugee communities, reducing drowning risk for some of the state's most vulnerable groups. The program is proudly supported by Healthy Tasmania, which works to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the state.

Sessions are running at five locations throughout the pool phase from August to December 2026, moving to beach-based sessions from January to March 2027: 

• Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre on Wednesdays from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
• Sea-Lyons Aquatics in Burnie on Saturdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
• Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Wednesdays from 1:30pm to 2:30pm 
• Brent Wrankmore Swim School in Launceston on Wednesdays from 1:30pm to 2:30pm
• Swirl Smithton on Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.

Whether you're looking to build your own water confidence, help a family member learn to swim, or simply connect with a welcoming and supportive community, there's a place for you in this program. Get in touch by email to nroulias@slst.asn.au, or to register your interest, click here.