International students learning to swim (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

SWIMMING LESSONS

TRU international students treading water through new TRUSU program

Jan 16, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — “[I] need to at least learn swimming so I can save my life,” said TRU International student Nikhil Shinda.

Swimming is a life skill that many in Canada take for granted. With picturesque lakes and rivers throughout the Thompson region, the Thompson Rivers University Students Union (TRUSU) partnered with the city to ensure students from around the world feel safe and comfortable in the water.

“Many of these students may have not seen water ever in their life, or might not be that familiar with swimming,” said TRUSU Services Coordinator Samranjit Singh Aulakh. “It’s a very important lifesaving skill and that kind of gave us the idea we want to give students who come to TRU and Kamloops something like this.”

Sadly in recent years, two TRU students have passed away in water-related deaths.

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“We had a drowning in 2019 of a TRU student in a Kamloops river, and then also in 2021, a TRU student drowned near Salmon Arm. This is a way that we can have a direct impact on peoples lives at TRU and also in our community,” said Andrew Smeaton, Kamloops’ Aquatics Programs Supervisor.

“We wanted to make sure those kind of unfortunate incidents don’t happen — or at least try our best. This program was definitely something that was more focused towards filling those gaps,” added Aulakh.

The lessons are put on at cost for the City of Kamloops, ensuring there are minimal barriers for the students.

“I always wanted to learn swimming, so this was a good opportunity for me as a student to learn some basic skills. I’m pretty confident right now,” said Kunel Dejani.

“It’s been five or six years (since I’ve swam) and I’ve never been into a swimming pool. And also winter is coming so we need to keep our body warm,” said fellow student Shinda.

This is the second round of lessons that have been put on, and with TRUSU having a large waitlist, the city expects the program to stick around for a long time.

“We look forward to having this as a permanent program in the future,” said Aulahk.