Why Above Water?

 

Mawgan Porth - October 2014, Brendon Prince Above Water founder was involved in trying to save the lives of three surfers who got into trouble in big waves.  As an off-duty Lifeguard, he did everything he could, both in and out of the water, but all three lost their lives in front of their families that day.  In Brendon's mind, not a day passes without seeing the wife of one of the drown surfers pleading with him to bring her husband back.  

Brendon made a commitment that day to do whatever was needed to stop accidental drowning in the UK.  Accidental drowning is a catastrophic event for the family and the local community but in so many cases could have been avoided through an understanding of water safety and drowning prevention techniques.  We are an island nation but most of our inhabitants know very little about water safety or how to stay alive in a potential drowning situation.

In the autumn of 2017, Brendon set up the Above Water charity: Water safety through education. Sending TEACHERS who are also LIFEGUARDS into schools to teach water safety and drowning prevention.  In 2019, Above Water spoke to over 25,000 children, teachers and parents.  All experiencing at least one hour of water safety and drowning prevention interactive instruction.  In the same year over 4,500 children received a practical (in the sea) one hour session building water confidence, swimming technique and drowning prevention skills.

 

On average, Above water talk to approx 250,000 children each year.  We have proved we are one of the biggest presenters of water safety and drowning prevention in schools and have now reached a point where thousands of schools are requesting a visit.  From 2024, Above Water started the Young Leader water safety training.  This programmes teach school young leaders the basic understanding of water safety and drowning prevention for the same young leaders to then conducting water safety teaching sessions in their own schools.