Montgomerie Links, near Da Nang City, is to host the ‘2012 Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day’ on March 17 to raise funds for survival swimming programs in the central region of Vietnam, where more children die from drowning than road accidents.

The second annual event, organized by Montgomerie Links and the Aussie Rules footy club Vietnam Swans, is aiming to raise US$25,000 to donate to local swimming programs — Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe in Danang. The event is supported by The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) and Auscham Vietnam.

The 150 golfers taking part in this coming event will enjoy a fun experience on the 18-hole, highly-decorated Montgomerie Links Golf Course, which was voted the best in Vietnam for the past two years.

Firms and individuals are invited to join the golf event to lend a hand to raise awareness and save children from drowning.

“[We are] proud to host Swing to Swim due to the significance of drowning in our region… This charity golf event takes enormous steps to provide funding for these worthy swimming programs to save the lives of local citizens…” said The Montgomerie Links General Director Jon Tomlinson.

“Vietnamese children should not only survive but thrive in the waterways of Vietnam. Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe are unlocking an exciting world of safe swimming in this wonderful country,” added Vietnam Swans’ President, Phil Johns.

In 2011, Swim Vietnam taught over 1,000 children to swim and is aiming to teach 1,500 children this year. The program also trains adults as swimming teachers.

Since Swim Vietnam’s inception in Vietnam in 2008, they have successfully taught swimming to over 2,300 children and given them water safety skills which could help save their lives. Over 60 swimming teachers have also been trained.

“Two children in my school drowned when the road flooded and they were swept away two years ago… We can teach them how to save themselves in these types of situation … as most Vietnamese children do not know how to swim,” said Ho Huu Tung, a teacher of Quang Nam-based Duy Phu School whom was trained to be a swimming teacher.

Swim Safe runs a summer survival swimming program in Danang. It teaches over 5,000 children each year and provides training to high drowning provinces across Vietnam.

Vietnam Ministry of Health statistics state that at least 10 children drown here every day. Some international aid agency surveys call it the “silent epidemic” and estimate that it is possible that as many as 30 children drown per day in Vietnam.

For more information on Swing to Swim or to join the event please contact Tel: 0510 3941 942. Email: events@montgomerielinks.com. Or, email the Vietnam Swans.

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