Swimming
Learn to Swim
Learn to Swim (LTS) provides quality programmes to all South Africans no matter where they are. Our programmes were developed bearing in mind the different aquatic environments where swimming is enjoyed as a sport and as recreation.
South Africa has a long coastline with many citizens enjoying our oceans. Ocean Splash is aimed at swimming skills development in the ocean environment.
Because of the assumption that the transference of swimming as a life skill must be swimming pool based, rural South Africa has in the most part been left off the drive to teach the country to swim. Rural Splash puts the priority on swimming in and around rivers, lakes and dams and is fore mostly aimed at rural communities. The Port-a-pool Project is an initiative to address the lack of swimming pools in rural areas.
Pool Splash caters for learning to swim in public and school swimming pools. LTS actively seeks partnerships with municipalities and hope to have Certified LTS Instructors in every public swimming pool in South Africa in the future.
LTS extends its drive to teach the country to swim with three other programmes: Club Splash, Recreational Galas and Splash Polo to add to the momentum of the other initiatives.
Something to remember at all times!
There are ten crucial water safety rules. The first 9 rules apply to adults and children alike, while rule 10 is aimed at children.
Rule 1: Learn to swim.
Seventy percent of the earth's surface is covered by water. Learning to swim is therefore a survival skill which helps reduce drownings.
Rule 2: Never swim alone.
Although swimming is a survival skill, even good swimmers can drown when they experience difficulties in the water; for instance a cramp which immobilizes a muscle. Therefore swimming alone is always unsafe.
Rule 3: Do not swim at a river mouth.
An undercurrent forms where the river and the sea meet which flows in a different direction from the surface current. An undercurrent is very strong and sucks anything and anybody into the sea.
Rule 4: Never dive into unclear or shallow water.
Diving headlong into something invisible underneath the water or into the bottom of a body of water could cause serious damage, unconsciousness and even paralysis.
Rule 5: Do not play in swamps, on rocks or river banks.
Slippery and unstable surfaces near water are always dangerous and may cause sudden falls into unknown depths.
Rule 6: Beware of animals like crocodile and hippopotami under the water.
These large and dangerous African aquatic animals keep close to riverbanks and attack easily when humans intrude upon their habitats.
Rule 7: Beware of swift flowing undercurrents.
Water can flow very forcefully through constricted areas, especially during floods when the volume of water strengthens the current.
Rule 8: Check the depth of the water before you enter.
Familiarize yourself with the depth of a river, lake of dam by using a dipstick.
Rule 9: Have a rope or stick handy to help someone in trouble.
Only go into the water to help someone in trouble if you are a qualified lifesaver. Otherwise try to help someone in trouble by means of a rope or stick or a floatation device tied to a rope that is thrown into the water.
Rule 10: Adult permission and supervision is a must.
Never go swimming without permission and always swim where a parent, guardian or adult may oversee you and your friends.
For water safety tips in and around your pool but not forgetting your home!
- Install a safety barrier around your home swimming pool.
- Empty baths, basins, sinks and troughs immediately after use.
- Empty children’s paddling pools when they are not in use.
- Close top loading washing machines.
- Install a mesh cover over fishponds.
How does SSA assist in job creation?
Swimming South Africa's LTS Instructor Certificate provides candidates with the essential competencies to teach swimming and water safety to children from four years of age up to adults.
To enter the course, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, be able to swim 50 meters in any of the 4 FINA recognized strokes and must be in possession of a First Aid Level 1 certificate. These are usually half day courses and shouldn’t cost you more than R300.
The LTS course itself involves a 2 day practical programme and theoretical content which has to be studied in your own time. Candidates must log 20 training hours with a Certified LTS Instructor, before writing a theoretical exam and passing a practical assessment. The course fee totals R980.
Successful candidates will be awarded an instructor certificate which is valid for four years. Validity is dependent on annual registration with SSA at R165 and the accumulation of 30 points through the attendance of workshops.
These credentials are lifelong achievements that can be used to obtain employment either as lifeguards or as swimming instructors at Virgin Active heated pools. Most importantly it provides the opportunity to extend their portfolio’s as entrepreneurs of small business enterprises. This will facilitate in further job creation across the board for enterprising youths to reach their personal goals and gainful employment.