NEWS RELEASE
YMCA OF SIMCOE/MUSKOKA
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The Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club (BCKC) partnered with the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka to offer a Safe Canoeing program for New Canadians.
The event, sponsored by the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA) with funding provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund, was held on July 2 and 4 on Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, and aimed to teach newcomers safe canoeing practices to get them comfortable on the water.
According to the Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Red Cross, over 400 people drown each year in Canadian waters, and that risk increases for newcomers. New Canadians are four times more likely to be unable to swim than those who were born in Canada, says a report from the Lifesaving Society.
An important part of drowning prevention strategies includes safe recreational boating education.
The Canadian Drowning Prevention Plan states: “Boating and swimming are two important areas where new Canadians need more information and education to reduce their risk of drowning when it comes to being in, on, or around water.”
With this partnership, the BCKC enhanced the program with the YMCA’s assistance to accommodate language barriers through ESL instruction, and help those new to Canada feel comfortable on the water.
The goals of the Safe Canoeing program are to offer people who are new to Canada an opportunity to safely enjoy the ‘Canadian’ experience of canoeing, to learn to be comfortable in and on the water, to pursue an outdoor recreational sport with their friends and families, to increase awareness of BCKC and ORCKA skills training, and to recruit new paddlers.
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka was pleased to provide ESL instructors through their Immigrant Services program to support participants and BCKC instructors, so newcomers could make the most of this experience.
As Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka explains, welcoming newcomers is a crucial part of the YMCA’s mission.
“At the Y, we are steadfast in our commitment to empowering newcomers to Canada with crucial supports such as English language training and settlement services. Our objective is to help these newcomers integrate seamlessly into the community,” stated Tettmann. “Our partnership with the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club is an extension of the Y’s commitment to aiding newcomers in their transition to life in Canada.
"This collaboration represents the broader, underlying reason why welcoming newcomers is important – it helps in their successful integration into the community, promoting social connection, and contributing to the overall well-being of the community as a whole,” said Tettmann.
Program participants started their learning with canoe safety in the boathouse, and were then able to test their new skills on the water. Upon completion of the course, participants were given an ORCKA Safe Canoeing badge and certificate.
“We are proud to partner with the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka to provide the enhanced Safe Canoeing Program. With appreciation to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund and ORCKA for their support, this community initiative allowed individuals who are new to Canada the opportunity to safely enjoy the ‘Canadian’ experience of canoeing, learn to be comfortable in and on the water, and the ability to pursue an outdoor recreational sport with their friends and families,” said Heather Rosier, President of the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club.
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club would like to thank ORCKA for providing the funds to support this innovative initiative, as well as the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of ORCKA through the Resilient Communities Fund.
For more information about the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club, please click here.
To learn more about the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, visit their website.
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