First women to fully complete Surf Life Saving Course 2017

SAVING LIVES: Fetaui Sanele and Aiga Fili of Fiafia Village Ocean Club at Siumu, graduating with Surf Survival Certificates after fully completing the Surf LIfe Saving Course 2017 by the Samoa Tourism Authority and certified trainers from Australia.

The second phase of the Surf Life Saving (SLS), CPR and First Aid trainings by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) was carried out last week for the Siumu and Falealili Districts. The aim of the training is to improve water safety response within the Accommodation providers and tourist sites.

There were 13 participants from Fiafia Village Ocean Club, Sinalei Resort, Saletoga Sands, Matareva Beach Fales, Lupes Beach Fales and Vaiula Beach Fales.

Among the participants were Fetaui Sanele and Aiga Fili of Fiafia Village Ocean Club at Siumu, who are the firstwomen to fully complete the course.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity that I’ve now obtained alot of life saving skills on the water which are very helpful for our line of work.” said Mrs Sanele, who has been working for Fiafia Village Ocean Club for 6 months.

“To be one of the first women to complete this very important course is very humbling, and I will utilise my new found skills not only within my work, but also within my family.” Added Mrs Sanele, who is married with two children.

Also very happy with this training and its benefits is Mrs Aiga Fili.

“This course has taught me alot of life saving water skills and as a mother of five, it is also very important for my family.

“The training suits us very well because of the many visitors we host here along the coast of Siumu.” Said an excited Mrs Fili.

Following the training, I’ve been more confident now with new found interest to be in the water, which is also another great form of exercise for me.” She added.

Trainings are carried out by the STA Planning and Development team, with technical expertise from two Certified Australian Surf Life Saving Trainers through the Australian Youth Ambassador Programme.

STA is currently at its 5th year of implementing Surf Rescue Training Programme. The programme is designed to up skill industry members with Surf Life Saving Techniques which include Basic First Aid, CPR and Water Rescue training.

Additionally, we will be offering a refresher course for staff that had completed SLS courses in the previous years.

Surf Life Saving in Samoa has been in the development stages since 2009. In response to the 2009 tsunami, in May 2010 the Government of Samoa and the Government of Australia commenced a program known as the Volunteer Emergency Response Team - Water Safety Programme (VERT-WSP).

The volunteers involved with VERT-WSP were trained in Bronze Medallion Courses and to strengthen this capacity, AusAID approved a three year program, where two Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYADs) would be mobilized each year from 2011 to 2013 and hosted by the Samoa Tourism Authority to deliver training programs to tourist resort staff and local residents.

To ensure the sustainability of the SLS Program in Samoa, STA committed in recruiting volunteers so that trainings can be continued for the future.

Further trainings will be carried out for Upolu and Savai’i.