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POOL TO BEACH PROGRAM

27 March @ 4:30 pm - 29 March @ 3:00 pm| Holiday & Weekend Camps| The Portsea Camp
POOL TO BEACH PROGRAM 250108.GazzaB.PORTSEA 1069

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From pool confidence to beach confidence — together, safely.

Dates: 27–29 March 2026
Location: The Portsea Camp, Portsea VIC
Who: Families with children aged 5+
Cost: Fully subsidised
Places: Strictly limited
The Pool to Beach Program is a gentle, supportive weekend designed to help families confidently transition from swimming in pools to enjoying Australia’s beaches safely.
Developed specifically for beginners and families new to Australian beach conditions, this program takes learning step by step in a calm, welcoming environment where questions are encouraged, fears are respected, and learning happens at your pace.
Delivered in partnership with Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, this fully subsidised program gives families the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to enjoy open water environments safely.

Who is this program for?

This program is ideal for:
  • Families with children aged 5 years and over
  • Confident pool swimmers wanting to learn about beach and open-water safety
  • New Australians and immigrant families unfamiliar with local beach conditions
  • Parents who want to feel confident supporting their children at the beach
  • Families with no prior ocean experience required

What families will experience

Over the weekend, families will:
✔️ Learn the key differences between pools and open water
✔️ Understand waves, tides, currents and rips
✔️ Practice safe beach entry, exit and self-rescue skills
✔️ Try guided kayaking in calm conditions
✔️ Explore rock pools and local marine life
✔️ Learn directly from qualified swimming teachers and community surf lifesavers
✔️ Build confidence together, as a family
All water activities are carefully supervised, safety-focused and designed for beginners. Safety equipment, flotation aids and all water-based gear are provided.

Sample Program Overview

A full detailed schedule will be provided closer to the date. Below is an indicative overview.
Friday Evening – Welcome & Orientation
Families are welcomed to The Portsea Camp with a relaxed introduction to the program, facilitators and weekend ahead, followed by icebreaker activities to help families connect and feel comfortable.
Saturday – Introduction to Open Water & Water Safety
Families take part in theory and practical learning sessions covering the differences between pools and open water, how to read beach conditions, identify hazards and safe swim zones, followed by guided water safety activities and kayaking in calm conditions.
The evening includes guided discussions, water safety trivia and reflection on learnings.
Sunday – Surf Coast Exploration & Reflection
Families visit the Back Beach to observe surf conditions, learn about local hazards, explore rock pools and marine life, and reflect on the confidence and skills gained over the weekend before closing and certificate presentations.

Program Delivery

Facilitators include:
  • Qualified swimming teachers
  • Community surf lifesavers
  • Portsea Surf Life Saving Club representatives
Equipment provided:
  • Life jackets and flotation aids
  • Kayaks and paddles
  • Rescue boards
  • First aid equipment

Accommodation & Meals

Families staying overnight will be accommodated in private family rooms with their own ensuite bathrooms, providing comfort and privacy throughout the weekend.
All meals are fully catered on-site, allowing families to relax, connect and focus on learning without worrying about logistics.
Staying on site means families can fully immerse themselves in the experience, avoid daily travel, and enjoy The Portsea Camp in a safe, supportive environment.

Flexible Attendance Options

To support families with different schedules, travel needs and confidence levels, the Pool to Beach Program offers flexible participation options:
Families can choose to attend:
  • Friday night + Saturday program
  • Saturday day program only
  • Saturday day program + Saturday night
  • Friday to Sunday (full weekend experience)
This flexibility allows families to participate in the way that best suits them — whether attending the core Saturday program or enjoying the full immersive weekend experience without long travel days.

A Shared Learning Experience

This program is designed as a family learning experience, where parents and carers actively participate alongside their children.
Our qualified instructors and surf lifesavers are responsible for water safety, instruction and activity supervision, while parents and carers remain responsible for the general supervision and behaviour of their children throughout the weekend.
This shared approach supports positive behaviour, builds confidence together, and ensures a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment for all families.
The program is delivered in line with The Portsea Camp’s child-safe and trauma-informed practices.

Fully Subsidised – Thanks to Community Fundraising

This program is proudly fully subsidised thanks to the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club’s volunteer team and the incredible fundraising efforts of Nick Martin and his English Channel charity swim.
Nick’s extraordinary commitment has enabled families to access this life-saving education regardless of financial circumstance.

Places are limited – Register early

To ensure personalised support and safe group sizes, places are strictly limited.
We encourage families to register early and share this opportunity with friends, schools and community networks who may benefit.
👉 Register Now: LINK TBC

FAQ – Pool to Beach Program

Do children need to be strong swimmers?
Children should be confident swimming in a pool, but no ocean or surf experience is required. The program is designed specifically for beginners transitioning to beach environments.
Do parents need to enter the water?
Yes — this is a family learning experience. Parents and carers participate alongside children so they can support learning and confidence beyond the program.
Who supervises water activities?
Qualified swimming teachers and community surf lifesavers supervise all water activities and deliver safety instruction. Parents remain responsible for the general supervision and behaviour of their children.
What should families bring?
Families will need to bring:
  • Linen (sheets, pillowcases, blankets or doonas)
  • Swimming attire
  • Towels
  • Toiletries
  • Sunscreen, hats and water bottles
  • Comfortable clothing for indoor and outdoor activities
All water safety equipment and kayaking gear is provided.
What if the weather is poor?
Safety is our priority. If conditions are unsafe, water activities will be adapted or replaced with indoor learning, demonstrations and coastal safety education sessions.
Are meals included?
Yes. All meals are fully catered on site for families staying overnight.
Can we attend only part of the program?
Yes — families can choose from flexible attendance options, including Saturday only, overnight or the full weekend.
Is this program culturally inclusive?
Yes. The program is designed to be welcoming and inclusive of families from all cultural backgrounds. Modest swimwear is welcome, and our team is experienced in supporting culturally diverse families.

Details

Venue

The Portsea Camp
3704 Point Nepean Rd
Portsea,VIC3944
Phone
0359842680
View Venue Website

Organiser

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