Almost 2,000 primary school children across Pembrokeshire are on track to receive free water safety training this year through a charity which was set up following the death of 11-year-old Zac Thompson in 2022.
Forever 11 was established in 2022 in memory of Zac, who died after being swept into the sea.
Since launching their water safety programmes in 2023, the charity has expanded from working with just one school to now supporting 13 primary schools across Pembrokeshire.
Around 2,000 children are expected to have taken part in their sessions this year.
Chair Carli Newell said the charity’s goal is simple. She said: "Every child in Pembrokeshire deserves the right to have water safety sessions.
"Especially where we live, it should be as important as being able to read."
The charity works with organisations including PaddleWest, Activity Pembrokeshire, and Windswept Wales to deliver kayaking, paddleboarding, and sea kayaking sessions.
Children also learn vital water safety skills including the RNLI’s Float to Live advice, whilst some also receive nationally recognised Paddle Safe and Swim Safe qualifications.
The programme initially focused on Year 5 and 6 pupils but has now expanded to include Year 3 and 4, to help children develop water confidence before reaching the age group statistically most at risk of accidental drowning.
Lucy Garett, a trustee of Forever 11, said that the charity uses national drowning data each year to shape its programme. She said: "The trends are all the same every year.
"It’s mostly children aged between 10 and 19 who are at risk of accidental drowning.
"We want children to have at least one or two sessions in the water before they reach that higher risk group."
These sessions are provided free of charge to schools through fundraising and donations, removing financial barriers for families across Pembrokeshire.
The charity estimates they have delivered more than 10,000 hours of water safety education since 2022.
Ms Garett said feedback from schools and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many saying how lucky they are to have the opportunity.
She continued: "Some parents have told us their child had been completely scared of going in the water, but afterwards they said it was one of the best days they’d ever had at school."
Looking ahead, the charity hopes to expand the programme across Pembrokeshire by working with additional water sports providers which will allow more schools to get involved in the programme.
Its long-term ambition is for every primary school child in Pembrokeshire to leave school with essential water safety knowledge.
They said: "We want every primary aged child to know what to do to keep themselves and others safe in and around the water."
The charity is hoping to raise awareness of its work and continue fundraising at their Pembroke Regatta on July 25, followed by its annual Forever 11 fun day on July 26.
