A 12 months after 2 siblings drowned, these St. Catharines grandparents hold preventing for college swim classes

Mike Williams and Evelyn Paige skilled a tragedy they thought they may solely examine in newspapers: their grandchildren’s drowning within the Wabigoon River in Dryden, Ont., final 12 months.

The St. Catharines couple informed CBC Niagara they imagine the deaths of Kayden Grant, 15, and Joyclyn Grant, 12, might have been prevented in the event that they have been taught lifesaving swimming abilities.

Williams mentioned the siblings’ dad and mom tried many instances to get them into swimming classes once they lived in Hamilton, however that “one minute later, registration would close because all the spots were gone.”

The youngsters have been lastly enrolled in classes, however they drowned earlier than they have been set to begin two weeks later, Paige mentioned.

Since their deaths, Williams has been pushing for municipalities in Hamilton, Dryden and the Niagara area to have necessary survival swimming classes in faculties.

To help within the efforts, Williams additionally launched an online petition that has garnered over 22,000 signatures in two months.

“The pain and loss remain indescribable, and we are determined to prevent other families from enduring this heartbreaking agony,” the petition reads.

Williams mentioned he needs such life abilities to be included in grade-school curriculums in order many youngsters as doable can profit for gratis to the households.

Williams mentioned the three-part swimming modules designed by the Lifesaving Society might help to that finish.

“It’s just two hours in a school year,” he mentioned about what the charitable group affords.

What some municipalities are doing

In an electronic mail to CBC Niagara, the City of Hamilton mentioned it is seeking to make water security schooling accessible by partnerships that may provide “low-cost and accessible swim programming,” together with the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive program.

The metropolis additionally mentioned it introduced ahead to the Ministry of Education a Dec. 3, 2025, motion  mandating swimming security coaching in Ontario’s elementary faculty curriculum. It mentioned the ministry has acknowledged getting the movement.

The City of Dryden’s Public Works division mentioned life rings have been positioned final 12 months at docks alongside the Wabigoon River, the place the Grant siblings — and never lengthy after, a five-year-old boy and 28-year-old man — drowned.

“This is a way to turn a terrible tragedy … into something that could potentially save other young kids from this fate,” Williams mentioned about efforts to stop drownings.

CBC Niagara reached out to the Education Ministry to ask if it is conscious of the petition and different questions regarding drowning prevention efforts in faculties, however did not obtain a response by publication time.