In support of the World Health Organisation’s World Drowning Prevention Day, the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) is proud to launch a one-day national campaign across its member network, using the power of storytelling to help save lives.
About World Drowning Prevention Day
World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on 25 July, was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations General Assembly to draw global attention to the preventable tragedy of drowning, which claims over 236,000 lives each year.
The WHO’s official theme for 2025 is:
“Your Story Can Save a Life.”
Introducing: SAFER Starts With You.
In direct alignment with the WHO’s 2025 theme, ASSA has developed SAFER Starts With You — a one-day campaign designed for swim schools to activate locally, while being part of a collective, industry-wide voice for prevention.
The message is simple:
It starts with you to make a difference if someone is drowning.
A Story-Led Activation for Swim Schools
On Thursday 25 July, swim schools will:
✅ Host a Wall of Safety display – featuring student-coloured SAFER WaterWarrior sheets with reflections on what they’ve learned in swimming
✅ Encourage kids to complete a “My Swim Story” worksheet
✅ Nominate a SAFER WaterGuardian – a local team member who leads by example and champions safety.
What’s in the SAFER Starts With You Toolkit?
To make participation easy and impactful, ASSA has created a downloadable campaign pack including:
- Printable colouring sheet featuring SAFER WaterWarrior characters
- “My Swim Story” worksheet
- Campaign poster A3 (PDF can also “Fit to Paper” for A4, and A2)
- Social media tiles – Portrait (4:5) and Story (9:16) sizes included
- Canva-ready blank slide – ready for you to add your magic
- Each Swim School’s SAFER WaterGuardian nomination form
Get Started Today
SAFER WaterGuardian Nominations Open
Each swim school is invited to nominate one team member as their SAFER WaterGuardian, someone who consistently promotes safety, models leadership, and contributes to the culture of care.
All nominees will:
Lead the local campaign on 25 July
Be recognised nationally by ASSA
Receive a free nomination in the ASSA Water Safety Award category
Get Involved
Key Dates
9 July – Campaign Launch + Toolkit Available
19 July – Final day to nominate your SAFER WaterGuardian
25 July – Activation Day for World Drowning Prevention Day
— Members are encouraged to post photos of their Wall of Safety, Swim stories, and staff champions using:
1. #SAFERStartsWithYou
2. Tag: @australianswimschools
29 July – ASSA wraps and shares campaign highlights
For support or questions, contact:
In Support of a Global Movement
The SAFER Starts With You campaign is ASSA’s contribution to a global cause — and promotes the fact, that all swim schools play a critical role in water safety education and drowning prevention.
As the WHO reminds us: “Your Story Can Save a Life.”
Join us in bringing this message to life — with colour, creativity, and community!
Through this campaign, we’re letting children, families, and educators tell those stories — Because every swim story matters and … YOU can have the power and skill to make the difference to a life saved.
To order SAFER WaterWarrior collateral, like Tattoos, jump to:
Media contact: Luke Daly
Mob: +61 414 086 858
Let's all become
S.A.F.E.R. WaterWarriors.
S ~ Swimming & Water Safety — GLIDE
Ongoing lessons build water confidence and skills.
Glide is really good at her swimming and water safety skills, but also knows how important those skills are and is the greatest champion at making sure those skills are learned early and practiced consistently through the year.
“Children drown all year round – keep their swimming skills strong by continuing lessons all year long!”
Great advice from Glide, ASSA’s SAFER WaterWarrior and champion for everyone learning how to swim!
SWIMMING SKILLS Save Lives.
A ~ Adult Supervision — SKYE
Always watch and stay within arm’s reach of children under five years old.
Skye’s superskill is her vision, the ability to spot situations where SUPERVISION is needed.
“Supervision means constant eye contact and being within arms reach when children are in or around water”
A wise message from Skye, our SAFERwater Warrior who champions Adult Supervision. She reminds is all that an adult needs to be focussed on supervision at ALL times and not distracted by their phone, a book or a friendly chat.
SUPERVISION Saves Lives.
F ~ Fences & Gates — FORCE
Keep all pool barriers secure and compliant.
Force’s special ability is the power of protection.
“After periods of rain, please check your pool fence for loose panels – a strong pool fence matters!”
Great advice from Force, ASSA’s SAFERwater Warrior for barriers.
FENCES AND GATES Save Lives.
E ~ Emergency Plans — DASH
Know what to do. Learn CPR and First Aid if you own a pool.
Dash is all about Emergency Planning, and if something were to happen, he’s super quick to act – He knows what to do because he’s planned well.
“If you haven’t thought about what you would do if there was an emergency in or around water, here are my top tips!”
- If a child is missing, check any water areas FIRST – seconds count
- Ensure everyone who cares for your child, including you, knows CPR
- Have an Emergency Action Plan in place, especially if you have a backyard pool.
EMERGENCY PLANNING Saves Lives.
R ~ Ready for Anything — YINDI
The Guardian of the WaterWarriors says “Stay alert and keep children in sight around any type of water to reduce the chance of drowning.”
Our WaterWarriors are young, energetic, and use their super skills well, brought together by their Guardian, Yindy.
“We need all the WaterWarrior’s super skills and actions to keep children SAFER in and around water.”
Yindy’s name is derived from Yindyamarra.
This is an Australian First Nation’s word that is often translated as “respect”. It can also mean to give honour, to slow things and to take responsibility, and this is what she does for Glide, Skye, Force and Dash.
