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mm moromsvs SOMERVILLE Lifeguards from across the province whoop it up at fundraising event during National Drowning Prevention Week in Richmond Hill last month. Area guards will be promot- ing drowning prevention during a cross-region run from Stoufl'ville neXt weekend. INONNO CRUPI’S PIZZA: IEXTRALARG§ - _ _' PUBLIC SAFETY: Regional road relay starts in Stoufiville On Aug. 21 and 22, more than 160 lifeguards from Whitchurch-Stouffville, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket and Georgina will take part in the Lifesaving Society’s Rescue 'IUbe Relay, inwhichlifeguardswillrun 120kmintwo daya York Region lifeguards are taking drown- ing prevention to thq streets. “They think shallow water is OK, but it just takes a split second and they’re not look- ing" and the child is in trouble. So far this year, there have been four drownings in York Region, according to York Regional There were six drownings all of last year. 'Bach lifeguard will run with a rescue tube, which is a foam flotation device used to support a victim during rescpe.‘ Tfié purpose of the reiay, which is being organized by the York Region Aquatic Coun- cil, is to raise awareness of drowning preven- tion. ’ “We want to educate, especially parents, to stay within arms reach of their children and wear the (personal flotation devices),” said Yorick Tong, aquatic programmer for the 'Ibwn ofWhitchurch-Stoufl‘ville. Thete have been 81 drownings in Ontario this year, compared to 79 at the same time' last year, said Barbara Byers of the Lifesav- ing Society. “A lot of parents vane overconfident in what they think their kids can do," Mr. Tong 'Parenté need to also be realistic about their child’s swimming abilities. Case in point. When children aged six to nine want to swim without a parent at the Lech Leisure Centre in Stouffville, they have to first pass a swim facility test, which consists of the swimmer jumping into the Tal Chl soclety opens new home Enjoy a Chinese dragon dance, demon- strations of the lOB-mové Tai Chi set, a cer- emonial ribbon cutting and a public lunch tomorrow. These presentations will mark the grand opening of a newly-purchased clubhouse of the Taoist 'I‘ai Chi Society of Canada at 124 Dickson Hill Rd. located between Markham and Stouflvifle on Sunday. Guards climb out of pool to help fight drowning The events start at noon. Call 905-640â€" I5102 HW\ BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com Bring coupon to recolvo discount - oxplros August, 201 o with 3 toppings shallow end of the main pool, swimming on their front, in any manner, to the middle of the pool, turning around and swimming back without stopping, to the satisfaction of the lifeguard on duty. The swimmer must take at least one breath and not appear to be struggling- Miny'children fail the test, according to Mr. Tong. Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable deaths for children under 10 years of age, according to the Lifesaving Society, with children under five years of age most at risk. The purpose of the relay is not only to increase drowning prevention awareness, but to also raise funds for the society, a non-profit organization that works to pre- vent drownings and water-related injuries through training programs. - The relay starts at 9 am. at the Lebovic leisure Centre and will go along Stoufl'ville’s Main Street to Kennedy Road, then head south to 19th Avenue, where lifeguards from Markham will take over. It will move into Vaughan and Richmond Hill. “They’re often very curious about the environment so they wander off from their parents,” Mr. Tong said. “That’s the agé where most of them don’t know how to swim." fhe next day, the relay will start in Rich- mond Hill and move through Aurora, New- market and Georgina Donations can be made at the Lebovic Leisure Centre. Founded in Toronto in 1970 by the late Master Moy Lin-shin, a Taoist monk who immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong. the International Taoist Tai Chi Society is the wofld’s largest nonprofit Tai Chi organiza- tion with branches in 26 countries. 0117 for a detailed program. The society is celebrating its 40th anni- versary this year. Visit wwwtaoistorg for more infonnation. ‘A lot of parents are overconfident in what they think their kids can do.’