Free Swim to Survive event, public swim and lifejacket fitting, plus a Water Smart® Contest for kids
Township of King, Ont. (July 16, 2026) —On average, about 450 Canadians lose their lives to drowning each year, with many incidents occurring in less than 30 seconds. Drowning is fast, silent and preventable. From July 19 to 25 King Township joins the Ontario Lifesaving Society to recognize National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) and raise awareness about the simple steps everyone can take to stay safe in, on and around the water.
This year's theme, "Prepare to be Water Smart," emphasizes that preparation saves lives. Whether it's wearing a lifejacket, learning to swim, staying within arms’ reach, choosing lifeguard-supervised swimming areas, or actively supervising children at all times, small actions can make a big difference in preventing water-related injuries and fatalities.
During NDPW, residents are invited to take part in free water safety events at Zancor Centre:
- Thursday, July 23 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
This family event will feature a Swim to Survive test, where King’s lifeguards teach the three core survival skills: rolling into deep water, treading water for one minute and swimming 50 metres. Children attending under the age of 10 will need to be accompanied by a parent in the water. Pre-registration online is required
Free Public Swim and Lifejacket Fitting
- Saturday, July 25 from noon to 2 p.m.
Free public swim in recognition of World Drowning Prevention Day, a global advocacy event focused on reducing the drowning rate globally. King’s lifeguards will be on deck to share tips on choosing the right size lifejacket or PFD, checking for wear and tear, and making sure it’s safe and ready to use when you need it most. Regular pool admission guidelines apply.
Water Smart® Contest
Water smart information displays will be set up at the Zancor Centre and the King City library branch. The displays will feature literature on drowning prevention, as well as kid-friendly materials including stickers and colouring pages for the annual LSS Water Smart® Contest.
This year’s contest theme is Prepare and challenges participants to help Buddy the Lifeguard Dog prepare for a safe day at the beach. There are three age categories:
Ages 5 and under: Colour the items Buddy needs for a safe day at the beach.
Ages 6 to 10: Draw the items from Buddy's beach safety checklist.
Ages 11 to 15: Draw items Buddy should have for a safe day at the beach.
Drop off your entries in-person at Zancor Centre or email them to swim@king.ca by July 25.
King’s aquatic team will select a winning entry in each age category and award the winners a King Township swag bag that includes a life jacket and swim pass. The winning submissions in the 6 to 10 and 11 to 15 age categories will then be forwarded to the Lifesaving Society for consideration in the provincial Water Smart® Contest. One provincial winner from each category will be selected by the Lifesaving Society and will receive a Water Smart Prize Pack.
Learn to swim at Zancor Centre
Sunny summer days mean more time in and around the water. King Township offers swim lessons for all ages—from parent and tot to adult programs—to help build confidence, water safety and lifesaving skills. Daily, weekly and bi-weekly options are available, along with private lessons for children ages three and up, except for those registered in Swimmer 7 to 12 as group work is required in those levels. Youth interested in becoming swim instructors or lifeguards can enroll in aquatic leadership courses. View schedules at king.ca/aquatics.
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Media Contact(s)
Township of King
Andrea Gyarmati, Manager of Communications and Public Engagement
Township of King | Phone: 905-833-5321 | Email: media@king.ca