The central lifeguard tower at Main Beach in Port Stanley was the backdrop Thursday afternoon for the launch of the Central Elgin Lifejacket Lending Program.
The Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition is the driving force behind the program, led by Briar McCaw.
However, the true inspiration has been provided by Linda King whose 26-year-old son Ryan Davies drowned on Labour Day last year when a canoe he was in with two friends tipped over in Lake Margaret.
This spring, the Ryan Davies Project was unveiled in St. Thomas, which encouraged the City of St. Thomas to develop a Personal Flotation Device bylaw and install ring buoys around Lake Margaret.
A motion presented to city council on May 12 passed by a 5-3 vote, with councillors Jim Herbert, Rose Gibson and Jeff Kohler opposed. Mayor Joe Preston was absent for the vote.
So, less than three months later, King participated in the launch of the water safety program in Port Stanley.
Lake Erie has claimed several lives in recent years, and at the program launch, Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan noted the importance of prioritizing safety.
Briar McCaw (pictured at left with Linda King and Nathan MacIntyre) stressed the initiative is a result of collaboration, determination, and a shared belief that drowning is preventable.
She paid tribute to the Life Saving Society of Ontario for their donation of the lifejackets and their expertise in helping implement the program.
McCaw also recognized the dedication of Linda King.
McCaw added, “A lifejacket can be the difference between a rescue and a tragedy, but not everyone owns one or remembers to bring it. Advocating for this program was about breaking down barriers, and it was about making safety equitable, ensuring that every person, regardless of income, background, or whether they are visiting or local, has access to a lifejacket when they need it.
“This is especially important for newcomers to our community, children learning to swim, and visitors who may be unfamiliar with the power of our waters.
“As we celebrate the program, I want to remind everyone that a life jacket is not a substitute for active adult supervision. We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe.”
Looking ahead, continued McCaw, “this program has been years in the making, and we are proud to see Central Elgin leading the way in Elgin county. But this is just the beginning. We hope this launch inspires other municipalities, marinas, libraries, businesses, and other community spaces to start their own lifejacket lending programs. One year from now, I hope we can look back and see the difference just as we are today: more people on our waters wearing lifejackets, fewer preventable emergencies, and a stronger culture of safety in our community.
“Together, we can ensure that every person who enjoys our waters has the chance to return home safely.”
And for Linda King, this is about turning tragedy into something positive.
King added, “So I will be spending a lot more time with Briar and advocating for water safety for sure. So let’s hope by next year we have a few more beaches on board.”
Written by Ian McCallum
