MONTAZURE HOSTS INTERNATIONAL KIDS WATER SAFETY TRAINING SESSIONS AT HQ BEACH LOUNGE ON KAMALA BEACH IN PHUKET
Phuket, Thailand: On 22 July, MontAzure, Phuket’s expansive mixed-use resort residential community on Kamala Beach, joined forces with Phuket Life Saving Club & Surf Life Saving Australia to hold a Phuket Kid’s Water Safety Training Program event at MontAzure Beachfront Sales Gallery and HQ Beach Lounge on the shores of Kamala Bay.
More than 50 Thai and international children joined the event and were divided into groups based on their swimming skills, first language and age group. The kids were given instruction on a range of key skills by a team of 12 visiting professional lifeguards from Australia, assisted by 15 lifeguards from around Phuket. The training sessions included basic water safety principals, the role of a lifeguard, basic CPR, and understanding tides and surf conditions.
Captain Boworn Promkeawngam of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Internal Security
Operations Command (ISOC) and Khun Karoon Sriden, Chief Executive of Kamala Sub-district Administrative Organization joined the event, along with seven members of the MontAzure executive team, who lent a hand and make sure the children were engaged and motivated throughout the day. MontAzure will also provide ongoing support a “Nippers Lifesaving Club” to be implemented later in the year.
“We are pleased to support this important initiative and help increase awareness and knowledge of beach safety amongst local children and their parents by providing on going assistance and volunteer participation,” says Setthaphol Boottho, Executive Director, MontAzure.
The Kids Water Safety Program is an island-wide initiative designed to encourage children to have fun while learning to stay safe at the beach. Young participants join in a wide range of games, sports and educational activities, which are designed to build confidence in and around the water.
The educational component of the program also includes beach safety, sun safety, learning what a lifesaver is and what they do, as well as fun physical activities include wading, board paddling and beach games. Older kids are also introduced to some of the basic principles of surf safety such as general rescue techniques and first aid.
Phuket Life Saving Club was formed in 2003 by a group of trained lifeguards, former lifeguards and concerned citizens with the aim to develop lifesaving around Phuket by improving water safety at pools and beaches.
The club has worked closely with Surf Lifesaving Australia for several years to develop programs and bring professional trainers to Phuket to train lifeguards on an annual basis.
“The idea is to teach skills that will stick like sand from the beach with these kids. Something that can be carried for life,” explains David Field, Life Saving Development Officer from Australian Volunteers for International Development. “It’s not only about prevent accidents, but also promoting lifesaving as a sport.”