Free water safety day in Tewkesbury aims to prevent drownings
Event will promote water safety and offer free activities
The inaugural Tewkesbury Water Safety Day will take place at Tewkesbury Leisure Centre and its adjacent field on 19th August, offering a variety of free activities to the community aimed at enhancing water safety awareness.
The event, running from 9.15am to 4pm, is organised by Places Leisure and aims to prevent future tragedies by promoting safe water practices.
Participants can engage with local emergency services, national charities, sports clubs, and community groups through interactive activities and demonstrations.
According to the National Water Safety Forum, 202 people lost their lives in accidental water incidents across the UK in 2025, with rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and canals being the most common sites.
The event is expected to attract families from across the region, offering valuable education in lifesaving techniques particularly during the summer months.
Tewkesbury Leisure Centre will provide free taster swimming lessons, rookie lifeguard sessions, family fun swims, indoor inflatable activities, and soft play sessions.
Dan Smith, Duty Manager at Places Leisure, said: “Water safety is something that affects every community, particularly during the summer months. This event is about bringing together the organisations that work tirelessly to keep people safe and giving local families the chance to learn vital safety messages in an engaging and memorable way."
Councillor Stewart Dove, Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management, said: "Tewkesbury Water Safety Day is a fantastic example of organisations working together for the benefit of our community. By bringing emergency services, charities, sports clubs and local families together in one place, the event will help promote vital water safety messages. We are pleased to support the event through the use of the YMCA field and look forward to seeing residents enjoy a fun day while learning skills that could ultimately help save lives."
Organisations attending include Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Severn Area Rescue Association, St John Ambulance, RNLI, and RLSS UK, amongst others.