Parents of Isle of Man youngsters are being offered the chance to equip them with vital sea safety skills for free this summer.

The RNLI and the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) are teaming up to bring the national Swim Safe scheme to the island for the first time this year.

The ASA, the national governing body for swimming in England, and the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, will provide a unique opportunity for all seven to 14-year-olds.

From 4 August until 7 August they will have the chance to take part in a fun, structured swimming session in Peel and learn all about how to stay safe by the sea.

Each 40 minute session is completely free and includes beach safety advice provided by RNLI lifeguards and up to 30 minutes in-water tuition with ASA accredited swimming teachers.

A meeting was held at Peel RNLI lifeboat station on Friday where RNLI Swim Safe Manager Sarah Porter, RNLI Lifeguard Manager Matt Horton and local ASA volunteers Krysy Howard, Sarah Hickey, Jackie Horne, Berti Convery and Dawn Marshall put the finishing touches on arrangements.

Pip Hare, RNLI Community Safety Project Manager, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with the ASA again this summer to bring Swim Safe to this beautiful beach location.

‘Combining the water safety knowledge of RNLI lifeguards with the expertise of ASA swimming teachers allows us to provide children with the skills and knowledge they need to keep safe in open water.’

Beaches attract thousands of children during the summer – but many lack the knowledge of how to stay safe in and around water and have had no significant experience of swimming in different aquatic environments.

Jon Glenn, Head of Learn to Swim at the ASA, said: ‘Swimming in the sea is great fun but it is essential that young people are aware of the potential dangers and know how to stay safe.

‘Over 6,000 young people have taken part in Swim Safe since we started in 2013 and we’re delighted to also be able to offer the free sessions to young people on the Isle of Man.’

There will be four sessions a day between Tuesday 4 August and Friday 7 August at Fenella Beach, starting at Peel Lifeboat Station. It is hoped as many as 192 children will take part on the Isle of Man.

Visit swimming.org/swimsafe to book a place on a session or book on the day at the beach. Children must be able to swim at least 25 metres.

Photo - L-R Krysy Howard, ASA swim teacher , Sarah Porter, RNLI Swim Safe Manager, Sarah Hickey, Swim Safe lifeguard, Jackie Horne, ASA teacher, Berti Convery, ASA teacher, Dawn Marshall, ASA teacher, and Matt Horton, RNLI Lifeguard Manager.