WaveMakers

WaveMakers is a one-day open water safety programme for schools, colleges and youth groups.

It teaches young people the practical skills they need to stay safe around open water environments such as rivers, lakes and beaches. The programme combines water safety education with supervised open water experience in a structured and supportive setting.

WaveMakers is designed for students aged 14+ and is delivered by qualified instructors in partnership with outdoor water venues.

What Students Learn

WaveMakers focuses on essential water safety knowledge and practical survival skills.

Students will learn how to:

• Stay calm and float if they unexpectedly enter deep water
• Understand cold water shock and how the body reacts
• Practise safe entry and exit techniques
• Recognise hazards in open water environments
• Know how to respond if someone else is in difficulty
• Build confidence in and around natural water environments

The programme follows widely recognised drowning prevention principles, helping young people understand how to enjoy water safely.

Who It Is For

WaveMakers is delivered for:

• Secondary schools
• Colleges and sixth forms
• Youth organisations and community groups
• Sports and enrichment programmes

The programme works well as part of PSHE, enrichment days, outdoor education, PE or end-of-term activities.

Group bookings are required.

What You'll Learn

WaveMakers combines outdoor swim coaching with wellbeing support and real-life water safety.

Over the course of the programme, you’ll:

• Build comfort in open water environments

• Learn safe entry, floating, breathing and basic strokes

• Understand tides, temperature, terrain and how to respond

• Explore how water supports your emotional and mental wellbeing

• Take part in discussions, group reflection and personal goal setting

• Prepare for possible progression into Global Flow

WaveMakers is delivered as a one-day experience at an outdoor water venue.

The day typically includes:

• Water safety briefing and environmental awareness
• Practical water safety skills in the water
• Supervised open water experience
• Reflection and discussion about safe decision making

Sessions are delivered using culturally competent, trauma-aware approaches that recognise different experiences and relationships with water, helping participants feel safe, respected, and supported.

All sessions are delivered by qualified instructors and trained support staff, with safety procedures and risk assessments in place.

Curriculum links

England

• KS4, PE, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, KS3

• RSHE, Basic First Aid

• KS4&5, PSHE, Health and Wellbeing

How It Works