Darin Germyn PREC

You do not need to be an expert angler to enjoy the upcoming Father’s Day weekend in White Rock.

The off-duty White Rock Firefighters are hosting their annual Reel Heroes Fishing Derby on Sunday, June 21.

Head down to the White Rock Pier and dock between 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM to catch the action.

It is a completely catch-and-release family event.

All the entry fees, prize raffles, and food sales directly support the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund to help burn survivors.

They have also lined up an incredible list of locally sourced prizes from our neighborhood businesses to keep things community-focused.

It is the perfect excuse to spend a sunny Sunday on the waterfront while supporting an amazing cause.

Booking swimming lessons in Surrey has basically become the ultimate test of patience for local parents.

Many moms and dads say the registration process feels just like trying to buy Taylor Swift or FIFA tickets.

You sit there with multiple devices open, you constantly refresh the screen, and yet all the spots vanish in seconds.

The massive demand and long waitlists have been a huge frustration for families across our community for a long time.

But Surrey city council just voted unanimously on a brand new plan to change things.

Mayor Brenda Locke brought forward a motion to make the first three levels of swim lessons completely free for children aged three to 12.

The city is aiming to launch this free programming by July 1st across all 11 indoor and outdoor pools.

The true purpose is to completely remove financial barriers so every local child can learn essential water safety and life skills.

Of course, making the classes free means the registration system is about to get even busier.

That is why council has directed city staff to look closely at instructor capacity, waitlist impacts, and total costs.

The city is already actively hiring to build up its lifeguard teams after recent shortages.

They are also constructing a brand new pool at the Newton Community Centre to help handle the growth.

Engagement Question
Do you think making lessons free is a great move for families, or are you worried it will just make it even harder to secure a spot? Let's talk about it below. 💬