Foundation

Shane Gould Swimming Foundation 2007

" to provide the life skills of swimming, water safety and water awareness, to disadvantaged people and people who cannot swim, in Australia and throughout the world "

Fiji

Tragically, for a country known around the world as a tropical island paradise, the second highest public health related cause of death in Fiji is accidental drowning. Each year on average more than 80 people die in swimming and boating related accidents, with this number sometimes as high as 90 per year. For the past 18 months Fijiswims have been working with Shane Gould and and her husband Milton Nelms (one of the world’s top swim technicians) to see what can be done in the way of improving water safety and awareness in Fiji.

While a swimming pool is ideal for learning and improving swimming it is not essential. The Shane Gould Swimming Foundation provides very effective instructions in traditional natural/wild swimming locations, making suggestions for a culture of safety around rivers and oceans.

During 2008 Shane and Milt implemented swimming curriculum with student teachers at the Lautoka teachers college and Fiji College of Advanced Education in Suva. There were 26 swimming graduates who are now teaching in schools. There will be extensive implementation of curriculum during 2010 after large scale teacher and student teacher clinics in November 2009.

see www.fijiswims.com for photographs and more information about the Shane Gould Swimming Foundation work in Fiji.

Northern Territory Australia

Work in NT was suspended while communities established order and safety for the residents basic needs.