Laps for Life is an annual swimming fundraiser that takes place in March, held in support of ReachOut and featuring 1000s of people swimming at beaches across the country. 

Be active

It’s particularly important for teenagers to make time for exercise to relieve stress which can impact their wellbeing and mental health. Ocean swimming, which also incorporates spending time in nature, can be a great way to be active as a family. Laps for Life is a really good reason to give it a go, rediscover something you once loved or to up your ocean swimming sessions for the month. 

Connect

Going for a swim with your young person is a great way to connect. It’s about spending time together and having a shared goal. You also might have more opportunities to talk, for example in the car on the way to the beach or after you get out of the ocean. Or, you could support your young person to join a social ocean swimming club so that they can connect with new people and expand their circle.  

Take notice

We sometimes think that mindfulness or meditation means we have to sit still and be silent; however, ocean swimming is a wonderful form of meditation. Before you get in the water you could talk to your teen about things they can focus on during their swim to support their wellbeing including their breath, the temperature of the water and the natural environment both above and below the waves. 

Keep learning

Teenagers’ lives are focused on learning and it is vital for their social and cognitive development. Encouraging your child to learn new skills can enhance their self-esteem, encourage social interaction and help them live a more active life. If ocean swimming is something you love, but your teen hasn’t embraced it yet you could use Laps for Life as a reason to encourage them to give it a go. This might look like taking the lead in organising a time to go down to the beach together, supporting them to get the right gear or even helping them to connect with someone who can support them in learning the basics when it comes to ocean swimming. 

Give

When we give our time and energy to help someone else, it can feel very rewarding. It can give us a sense of meaning and purpose. Giving time to a cause that your child feels strongly about will also help your child understand empathy. Laps for Life is a great way to get together as a family to do something important in support of youth mental health and suicide prevention. 

It’s not too late to sign up! 

Laps for Life is open to everyone across Australia whether you’re new to swimming or an experienced swimmer, for more information and registration visit lapsforlife.com.au.