As part of Drowning Prevention Week 2025 (June 14-21), Bluestone National Park Resort is stepping up efforts to educate children and families in Wales about the importance of water safety.

New figures released by the National Water Safety Forum paint a worrying picture for Wales. In 2024 alone, 18 people tragically lost their lives to accidental drowning in Welsh waters - a rate of 0.57 per 100,000 people which is more than double the UK average. Over the last five years, there have been a total of 136 accidental drowning deaths in Wales.

Determined to address this growing crisis, Bluestone’s Blue Lagoon Water Park team is taking its water safety campaign into primary schools across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire for the third year running. Through engaging and practical workshops, they aim to equip more than 1,000 pupils with vital water safety skills during Drowning Prevention Week.

This year, the initiative is going even further. For the first time, members of the public will also be able to take part in open sessions at Milford Haven McDonald’s on Saturday, June 21 and Haverfordwest McDonald’s on Sunday 22, while guests staying at Bluestone during the week will be invited to attend educational sessions at the resort.

These interactive sessions will focus on key safety techniques such as:

Ruth Watson, swimming teacher at Blue Lagoon, explained why the campaign is so important:"At Bluestone, we believe in making the water a fun and safe place for everyone. Most of us love swimming, especially in the summer months when open water activities are popular. But we also want people to understand the risks. A few simple tips can make all the difference and potentially save lives. That’s why we’re so passionate about taking this campaign directly into our communities and reaching as many children and families as we can."

The campaign is being delivered in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), which coordinates Drowning Prevention Week annually across the UK.

Matt Croxall, Interim Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “We want holidaymakers to make the most of enjoying the water outdoors this summer in Wales as the weather warms up, which why we are teaming up with Bluestone’s Blue Lagoon Water Park to provide young children across west Wales with the opportunity to learn key lifesaving knowledge.

“The water safety campaign will equip youngsters with valuable knowledge, including the Water Safety Code, to keep them and their families safe and able to enjoy the water safely – and prompt important conversations to help save lives.

“It’s great to see organisations like Bluestone supporting a worthwhile cause in spreading vital education. Help us to support our Drowning Prevention Week campaign by sharing lifesaving knowledge with family and loved ones this summer, as this could help to prevent tragedies.”

Drowning Prevention Week is one of the largest summer water safety campaigns in the UK and aims to educate the public on how to enjoy water safely, reduce the number of drowning incidents, and highlight the work being done by organisations like RLSS UK and community partners.

Bluestone’s commitment to promoting water safety aligns with its broader mission to support wellbeing, education, and sustainability both on resort and within the wider community.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, these practical lessons come at a crucial time when many families will be heading to the coast, rivers, and pools to enjoy the warmer weather.

For more information on water safety and Drowning Prevention Week, visit: https://www.rlss.org.uk/DPW

To find out more about Bluestone National Park Resort and the Blue Lagoon, visit: https://www.bluestonewales.com/