Push is on for children to learn to swim as pandemic restrictions ease
The demand to get children into swimming lessons increased after Ontario gave the green light to resume teaching the lifesaving skill.
"We're close to almost over 500 registrations," said Ross Johnston, owner of Big Splash Swimming Academy. "We are excited to open, but at the same time, we are trying to accommodate as many young children as possible."
Janna Whitfield paid for private lessons at a friend's pool for her two children, three and five years old, to learn basic skills.
"When I was a kid, I could swim by their age," she said.
For months recreational centres have been closed, and public safety protocols restricted visiting friends, contributing factors to her children falling behind, as far as Whitfield is concerned.
"I think because they've had such a big gap where they haven't been able to swim in the pool, they don't have the skillset," the Barrie mom added.
So far this year, there have been 42 drownings across the province.
Barbara Byers, with the Lifesaving Society, also points to the pandemic for many people lacking the skills to swim.
"We hope in the fall when all the rec programs start up again, parents will be more determined to put their kids in swimming lessons," Byers said.
Businesses like Big Splash Swimming Academy are also dealing with staffing issues as the demand for lessons ramps up.
ORILLIA OFFERS INCENTIVES FOR LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT
On Wednesday, the City of Orillia put out a call for both lifeguards and swim instructors.
The city announced its offering opportunities for individuals 16 and older paid training to become certified lifeguards.
Interested individuals can submit an application online by July 30 to receive an interview.
Successfully trained participants will be offered a contract for a Lifeguard/Instructor position with the city at a starting wage of $17.26 per hour.
"To start, all you need is a love for the water and the ability to swim. Everything else we will teach you during the paid training," said Christine Wareing, aquatics and fitness supervisor.
Complete information on the program and how to apply is available here.
With files from CTV's Kim Phillips
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.