Leading learn to swim provider Belgravia Leisure in partnership with Swimming Australia has announced that in the past two years, there has been a 26% uplift in their GOswim learn to swim classes, demonstrating an obvious appetite for kids to possess water safety skills post covid.

The uplift, however, has come with its challenges, whereby there is a national shortage of swimming teachers across the industry. With demand for learn to swim classes far outweighing supply, many learn to swim programs have waitlists and/or limited availability.

Two household names in their industries – Belgravia Leisure and Swimming Australia – come together to deliver GOswim – a best-in-class service to children and adults across Australia. 62,000+ learn to swim lessons are delivered each week across every state and territory in Australia to what equates to more than three million lessons per year.

Kirk Marks, General Manager of GOswim Australia is pleased that parents are prioritising swimming lessons, but is also cognisant that there are still kids out there who don’t have the skills to survive in water. 

“Off the back of covid, many parents realised that their kid’s swimming and water safety skills were not up to scratch, so there’s definitely been a renewed interest in getting them back in the water.” 

Kirk continued, “But with only 35% of Aussie children under 14 doing swimming lessons and ten children under 14 drowning over summer, there are fears that it’s still nowhere near enough.

“We are however, working hard with our providers and Swimming Australia to continue to deliver the GOswim program and raise awareness of the importance of water safety and swimming lessons, which in my opinion are non-negotiable if you live in Australia – it is not a hobby, but an essential life skill.  

“Even if you have to be patient whilst on a waiting list, it’s important to enrol your kids to ensure they have the skills to survive in various bodies of water that they find themselves in. 

Swimming Australia Executive General Manager of Commercial, Events and Marketing Jodie Hawkins said the increase in participation was pleasing to see but drowning rates remain a concern.

“It is incredibly positive to see such an increase in the number of people joining the GOswim program,” Hawkins said.

“Sadly, there were 99 drownings and many near-drowning incidents across the summer and this is a reminder that learning to swim is an important life skill. We are proud to partner with Belgravia Leisure to deliver this best-in–class program – and to help keep Australians safe.

“We encourage all Australians, of all ages, to learn to swim and encourage you to visit the GOswim website to find a local centre.”

The industry leading GOswim learn to swim and water safety program has been updated with new lesson plans, a contemporary curriculum and some exciting new characters to bring the lessons to life.

Encouraging students of all ages and abilities to learn swimming and water safety skills through experiential and activity-based learning, the new GOswim program empowers students to think, discuss and make informed decisions whilst having fun in and around water.

Visit the GOswim Australia website to enrol your child in a GOswim class or become a GOswim teacher.

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