Swimming is a skill for life! Photo: Belgravia Leisure.
Australia is home to many of the most beautiful beaches and waterways on the planet, so it’s no surprise that swimming is deeply ingrained in our culture.
Cast your mind back to childhood: did your family flock to the coast every summer, or was a visit to the local pool more likely?
Maybe your fondest family memories aren’t in the pool or on the beach. Perhaps you were a river fishing kid, loved lounging by the lake, or took turns jumping into the farm dam while your parents looked on.
Perhaps you grew up outside Australia and never learned how to swim. Whatever your experience, water can be loads of fun, but it also has the potential for tragedy.
Today, on World Drowning Prevention Day, swim teachers from across Canberra have an important message to share: while anyone can drown, no one should.
Aquatic services manager Richelle Webb coordinates 45 qualified swim teachers at Stromlo Leisure Centre. The team coaches an incredible 3500 students between them.
“Drowning doesn’t have a single cause or solution, but it can be prevented,” Richelle says.
“Learning how to swim as early as possible is the best way to prevent drowning deaths. It’s about more than just movement. The bottom line should always be staying safe in and around water.
“For our students, this means knowing how to enter and exit the water safely, conserve energy, respond to currents, rips and big waves, and recognise important signage.”
Richelle and her team use the nationally recognised GOswim program, which is powered by Swimming Australia and caters for students of all ages and levels of ability.
In Canberra, the GOswim program is offered by Stromlo Leisure Centre, Dickson Pool, Lakeside Leisure Centre, Canberra Olympic Pool and Gungahlin Leisure Centre.
All five centres are part of Belgravia Leisure Group. Together, they host more than 7300 students.
There are plenty of ways to help prevent drowning. How many can you tick off? Image: Royal Life Saving Australia.
Richelle says the best way to reduce preventable deaths and promote water safety is for families to enrol their kids in swim school.
“Parents tend to hold off on swimming lessons until their kids reach preschool or primary age, but my advice is to start as early as you can,” she says.
“We can get students in the water at just six months old. Mum and Dad come too at this age, so we can pass on valuable knowledge for them to continue teaching at home.”
GOswim classes are led by highly qualified teachers who use fun, activity-based techniques tailored to small, graded groups.
Infant and preschool classes are designed to suit students from six months to five years of age. Teachers also encourage parents and carers to get involved, passing on crucial skills to help keep their kids safe.
For children five years and up, lessons teach the foundations of proper movement, breath control, submersion, balance, recovery and more.
But classes aren’t just for babies and kids. Teens, adults, and seniors are all welcome.
“There are many benefits to swimming lessons besides just safety, fitness being one of them. It’s never too late to learn,” Richelle says.
“We know staying active is great for your mental wellbeing, and since you never know who you’ll meet at the pool, it’s a great way to meet new people!”
Belgravia Leisure Group also offers GOswim access and inclusion classes for swimmers with physical or cognitive disability.
Drowning numbers are declining, but not at a fast enough rate. According to Royal Life Saving Australia, 104 people lost their lives to drowning last summer season. Ten were children under the age of 15.
For Richelle, World Drowning Prevention Day serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness and driving change.
“We’re decked out in blue today to remember those who have lost their lives and promote life-saving conversations around water safety,” she says.
“Today is also about recognising swim teachers, lifeguards, and other water safety professionals.
“Even if they know how to swim, I urge every family in Canberra to sit down tonight and talk about water safety. A 10-minute conversation could make all the difference.”
Check out ACT Leisure Centres to enrol in local GOswim lessons.
World Drowning Prevention Day is observed annually on 25 July. For more information and resources to raise awareness, visit Royal Life Saving Australia.
