The Winkler Aquatic Centre took part in promoting water safety yesterday with their annual Swim Smart event. Kids and adults filled the pool Thursday afternoon to participate in the games, and had chances to win prizes as well.

Jalysa Rempel, Aquatic Programmer at the pool, notes that while the activities were designed to be fun, they also wanted the events to teach swimmers about water safety.

"We all know how fun it is to hang out at the pool and play by the water, but we want to make sure that everyone is aware that there are dangers associated with it,” Rempel says. “Each of our activities did have a safety message, like always swimming with somebody else, or if you're young, having an adult nearby. Even things as small as walking at the pool, they're all very important."

Rempel outlines some of the activities and games the WAC had going on throughout the afternoon.

"We did boat rides with the young ones. They did a little sight orientation on their boat rides, where the activity leaders would ask them questions about our facility, the importance of lifeguards and where it's safe to swim. We did an accuracy toss which is a throwing activity, which is an important skill for lifeguards to have if they ever need to throw a lifesaving device, and then we also did an obstacle course, which is more for just showing off your swimming skills."

Rempel hopes that these activities brought water safety into the spotlight.

Lifeguards took the opportunity to go over the basics of water safety