This November, Australia’s leading swim school GOswim has partnered with Bondi Rescue lifeguard Bruce Hoppo Hopkins to launch the country’s largest learn to swim water safety campaign of the year.
The ‘Float to Survive with GOswim’ initiative aims to spread the message on how to stay afloat in emergency aquatic situations ahead of summer, starting with 60,000 GOswim students across Australia.
The campaign comes in response to alarming figures from the 2024 National Drowning Report, which shows drownings have increased by 16% over the past year compared to the 10-year average, reinforcing the need for stronger water safety education across all age groups.
Australian lifeguard and TV personality Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins (pictured left) will deliver this message across the country via a month-long national campaign, visiting aquatic venues in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia to help spread the ‘Float to Survive with GOswim’ message.
Members of the community will have the chance to meet Hoppo, practice their floating skills and learn more about the campaign. The aim; to simply encourage Aussies, no matter their age, background or ability to strengthen their floating skills.
Additionally, from November 1-30, 250,000 swim lessons in almost 80 locations around Australia will start with five minutes of float training, with a focus on Hoppo’s three step Float to Survive strategy:
- Reach your head back to keep your mouth above water
- Keep your mouth soft / don’t clench
- Gently rotate your arms and legs in a circle motion
“I’m stoked to have partnered with GOswim to reach tens of thousands of students with this lifesaving message, which is relevant to anyone, in any aquatic situation; whether it is in the surf, creek, river, lake or swimming pool,” Hoppo commented.
“In the lead up to summer, this is a water safety skill that is non-negotiable, and I’m excited to get out and about across the country to spread this message to help Aussies learn how to stay safe in the water.”
GOswim is a learn to swim program offered by Belgravia Leisure and Swimming Australia, available at 80 venues across Australia, providing over 2.8 million lessons to over 60,000 GOswim members annually.
Sarah Podesta, Aquatics Manager at Belgravia Leisure (pictured left) is working with Hoppo to spread this message to as many Aussies as possible.
“Not only are we looking to upskill over 60,000 GOswim students with the ability to float this November, but we are also looking to spread the word to all Aussies, no matter their age, ability, background or circumstance. Anyone can drown, but no one should, and we believe that spreading this message will hands down save lives.”
Royal Life Saving CEO Justin Scarr highlighted the importance of spreading water safety messages such as learning how to float to everyone, no matter their age or background ahead of summer.
“The 2024 National Drowning Report revealed that 92 adults aged 65 or older drowned, the largest number ever, making up 28 per cent of the total drownings for the year. Additionally, 25 per cent of people were born overseas, including refugees, migrants and international students, underscoring the need for water safety skills to be taught to everyone, not just children”.
“Simple yet essential skills like floating can mean the difference between life and death when someone is caught in a rip, struggling in a river, or simply out of their depth in a pool” Scarr added.
With summer just around the corner, the campaign is a timely reminder of the importance of water safety and GOswim and Hoppo are leading the charge to ensure Australians are better prepared for aquatic emergencies.
Find your nearest GOswim location on the GOswim website.
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