Triathlon Victoria has made water safety a top priority this summer, partnering with ‘Play it Safe by the Water’, launching the 2017/18 Champion Club program at last month’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Champion Club program sees clubs named as leaders in water safety to the Victorian Triathlon Community delivering water safety messaging and practices to club members and the wider community.

Bayside Triathlon Club, Echuca Moama Triathlon Club, Inclusive Sports Training, Hawthorn Triathlon Club, Tri Chicks, Mornington Peninsula Triathlon Club, Western Suburbs Triathlon Club and Yarra Tri Club have all been named as Champion Clubs.

The Champion Clubs were selected for their commitment to water safety, ability to deliver ‘open water’ swim sessions and engagement with their membership and local community.

Triathlon Victoria Executive Director, Grant Cosgriff, said “The program is designed to highlight the great work clubs do in this area and provide important resources and training so that all participants are safe when training in the ‘open water’.

“The program will inspire clubs to be true champions of water safety and demonstrate to others around the state best practice in water safety procedures. With National Water Safety week just past, triathlon is committed to actively and transparently showing the community how to ‘Play it Safe by the Water’.

Clubs have committed to implementing the Triathlon Australia Open Water Swimming Guidelines, donning brightly coloured swim caps and vests when participating in open water swimming. Each club Water Safety Ambassador will actively promote and encourage the water safety message within their community, through the 2017/18 triathlon season and coordinate the clubs

Champion Clubs will be provided with financial support to purchase rescue/supervision craft, and accredited club coaches/volunteers with the ‘Community Surf Lifesaving Certificate’.

Adrian Currie President of Bayside Triathlon Club said “I think it’s a fantastic program. The support will allow us to ensure that we have the resources and trained coaches to keep our members are safe. It especially provides great comfort and confidence to beginners who are new to open water swimming and needing additional re-assurance."