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- July 20 - Drowning Prevention Week begins
July 20 - Drowning Prevention Week begins
Top stories of the week. Amalgamation vote inches closer to reality. Hotel prices soar in Tofino this summer.
Capital Daily Team
July 20, 2025
Good morning !
Today kicks off drowning prevention week, and with the rise of drowning deaths on the Island in recent years—last year, 23 Islanders died by drowning, and in 2023, 32 died—it’s more important than ever to be mindful of safety while out on the water.
We also have your rundown on this week’s biggest news items and a look at the cost of Tofino hotels (hint: they’re higher than ever).
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Keeping cool in the water means keeping safe, too
Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily
Surrounded by water, and with plenty of lakes and swimming pools on the Island, Victoria offers a multitude of options for taking a dip or enjoying watercraft. But it comes with risk—and responsibility.
Because July is statistically the month with the most water-related incidents each year, the third week of July is National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW).
The week usually takes on a theme, and this year, it’s #SaferTogether—a reminder that water safety is a responsibility everyone around water should share.
“Drowning is preventable,” says the Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon, a charitable organization dedicated to preventing drowning through safety, education, and training programs.
It says some 500 Canadians die each year by drowning, making it the third-leading cause of unintentional death among Canadians under 60. It’s also the most common of accidental deaths among children aged 1-4.
Last year, 23 Islanders died by drowning, and in 2023, 32 died. The Lifesaving Society says 86% of children who drowned were unsupervised and that 77% of drowning victims are male.
The Lifesaving Society offers a series of tips to stay safe in or on the water this summer.
The tips aren’t breaking news. But they’re worthy of remembering and implementing:
Closely supervise young children
Always swim with a buddy
Learn swimming and lifesaving skills
When diving, protect your neck and go feet first; never dive into shallow water
Know the weather forecast
Assess conditions and monitor waves and tides
Avoid drift logs in high tide or swell
Wear a wetsuit for warmth on an extended swim
Swim in shallow water unless experienced
Boat and swim sober
Never stand up in a small boat
Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD)
Fri. is World Drowning Prevention Day, which has been observed for the past four years. The BC legislature and the Confederation Garden Court plaza opposite the Inner Harbour will be among the dozens of landmarks and public sites across the province to be illuminated in blue to raise awareness about drowning prevention that day.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Missing girl: Jessa Rose Darlene Casey, 14, was last seen on July 14. [Sidney/North Saanich RCMP]
Street closures and parking restrictions throughout James Bay today for Northwest Deuce Days. [3am to 5pm]
Relove Market is happening at Ship Point today. [Details]
Weather: The week will start with mid-to-high 20C weather before cooling down to the high teens.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
