Australia and New Zealand recorded a combined 435 drowning deaths in the latest reporting period, with every life lost leaving an impact on families, friends, rescuers, first responders and communities.
Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on Saturday 25 July, Belgravia Leisure is partnering with Royal Life Saving Australia to support the World Health Organization’s 2026 theme, ‘Unite to Turn the Tide on Drowning’, and raise awareness across 80 aquatic venues.
The campaign is supported by a powerful new video featuring Belgravia Leisure Product Development Manager for Aquatics Cheryl McLennan. Cheryl candidly shares her various personal experiences of non-fatal drowning, rescuing others and living with the trauma that can remain long after leaving the water.
Passionate about water safety, Cheryl is sharing several of these experiences publicly for the first time to help people understand why the message ‘Anyone can drown, no one should’ applies to everyone, including children, adults, strong swimmers and experienced water users.
The National Drowning Report 2025, published by the Royal Life Saving Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, found there were 357 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, which is 27% higher than the 10-year average.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Water Safety New Zealand 2025 Drowning Prevention Report recorded 78 preventable drowning deaths. Of these, 43 people, or 55%, were alone when they drowned.
Dr Justin Scarr, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Life Saving Australia, said safe and well-supported aquatic venues have a vital role to play in preventing drowning.
“World Drowning Prevention Day is a time to reflect on what can turn the tide on drowning in Australia. Of course, there are many actions required, but few are more vital than investing in safe, well-supervised aquatic facilities where every Australian can learn to swim and be safe around water,” Dr Scarr said.
Belgravia Leisure General Manager Health and Safety Scott Vanderheyden said the partnership is helping turn that national message into local action, while Cheryl’s story brings an important human perspective to drowning prevention.
“Across our venues, we see every day the difference that safe, supervised aquatic environments, skilled teams and water safety education can make,” Scott said.
“Cheryl has experienced the impact of drowning from several perspectives, including fighting for her own survival and stepping in to help others in life-threatening situations.
“Her courage in sharing these deeply personal experiences is incredibly powerful, particularly given her ongoing work in aquatics and drowning prevention. Cheryl’s story is an important reminder that anyone can find themselves in difficulty around water, regardless of their water confidence or experience.
“That message is also at the heart of our partnership with Royal Life Saving Australia, which will help our aquatic venues start important conversations and encourage people to take practical steps that may save a life.”
Through the partnership, participating Belgravia Leisure venues will use World Drowning Prevention Day resources to help raise awareness within their local communities.
The campaign reinforces the importance of swimming and survival skills, active supervision, understanding water conditions, learning CPR and supporting qualified lifeguards and swim teachers.
For Cheryl, sharing her experiences publicly has not been easy.
“If sharing my story helps save even one life, then it’s worth telling because anyone can drown, no one should,” she said.
Watch Cheryl’s story and take one practical action to help unite communities and turn the tide on drowning. Explore swimming and water safety lessons through GOswim Australia or Swim Tangaroa in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Learn more about World Drowning Prevention Day and what you can do to take action to prevent drowning on the Royal Life Saving Australia website.
