Energy Australia Special Needs -
These courses are suitable for children and adults with Special Needs.
Learning Outcome: On completion of the course participants should be able to:
Recognise beach signs and know their meanings
Recognise Lifesavers and Lifeguards
Identify the safest places to swim
Understand self survival
Activities: The format of each weekly program is varied from school to school, based on the level of disability of the students. The beach activities include sprinting, beach flags, poison ball, and relays. The water component incorporates water confidence by playing games in the water, such as wading around ropes, or filling bins with water carried up in buckets. Once confidence is established, and depending on the surf conditions, body boards and foam surf - boards are also used. General sun-safe concepts such as use of sunscreen, hats, and rash-vests, and the surf safety concepts of swimming between the flags, and beach signs and their meanings are introduced, according to the student’s capabilities, and reinforced at each weekly lesson. The students are also introduced to the lifeguards on the beach, and know they can feel comfortable to approach them with any enquiries or problems.

• Benefits to Participants:

The main benefits of this program for the students involved in the program to date have been:
Increased awareness of swimming between the flags
Improved confidence and ability in the water
A chance to integrate into the community
Learning new social skills
Improved gross motor and balance from negotiating sand and wave zones
Fun for all involved
Interacting with people outside their regular circle of friends and carers

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• Cost: Free (Thanks to sponsors Energy Australia)
• Duration: 1&1/2 to 2 hrs per session
• Location: Newport SLSC
• What to Bring: Swimmers, rash vest/sun protection, 2 towels, hat, sunscreen, beach suitable shoes optional

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