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International Water Safety Day. 🌊 Curro Edenvale – Launch of Curro Aquatics. International Water Safety Day reminds us that a child’s first swim changes everything.
Today, 15 May – International Water Safety Day, Curro Edenvale announced the launch of Curro Aquatics, a swimming programme that places water safety and life skills at its core, while also nurturing competitive, professional-level swimming from the earliest years.
The timing is deliberate. Just one day later, on 16 May, the school officially opens its new aquatic programme – a powerful statement in a country where water safety remains a pressing concern.
🚨 Why Water Safety Matters
Every year, an estimated 1500 people in South Africa lose their lives to drowning. Behind each statistic is a family and community deeply affected, with young children among the most vulnerable. This reality underscores the urgent need for awareness, education, and early intervention.
At Curro Edenvale, the response is clear: act through education.
🏊 Building Skills, Building Safety
“Swimming is the only sport where the skill itself becomes the safety net,” says Shayne de Vrye, head coach of Curro Aquatics. “Every other benefit – fitness, discipline, competitive development – builds on top of that foundation. But the foundation must be laid early, and it must be taught properly.”
The programme will serve learners from Grade R to Grade 12, offering structured swimming development in an indoor heated pool. From first strokes to competitive training, every child is supported at their level.
For de Vrye, the vision goes beyond sport: “This is about giving children a life skill that stays with them forever. When a child learns to move confidently in water, it changes how they experience the world – and it adds a layer of protection that truly matters.”
Practical Steps for Parents
De Vrye encourages families to reinforce water safety at home and in their communities:
- Constant supervision – Always keep a responsible adult actively watching children near water.
- Start lessons early – Formal instruction builds confidence and survival skills.
- Secure water sources – Empty buckets, cover tanks, and fence pools.
- Teach clear rules – No swimming alone, no running near pools, always ask permission.
- Learn emergency response – CPR and rescue techniques can save lives.
“Children should grow up with both a love and a healthy respect for water. Those two things must go together,” de Vrye adds.
Extending a Proven Success
Curro Aquatics has already built a strong reputation in the Western Cape, with swimmers achieving competitive success at various levels. The introduction of the programme at Curro Edenvale extends that legacy – combining performance development with a strong emphasis on safety, confidence, and life readiness.
Read more school news here: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za/
Photos supplied
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