In a new report released yesterday, October 28th, Royal Life Saving Australia has highlighted a concerning statistic with over 40% of 12-year-olds not meeting the National Benchmarks for swimming and water safety education.
General Manager, Catherine Foreman has highlighted Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to enhancing water safety and swimming skills among children in our communities with ABC North and West SA Breakfast.
“It’s certainly worrying for everyone, as water safety is crucial here in South Australia and across Australia and New Zealand, where we operate,” Catherine stated. She attributed this trend to factors like reduced school swimming lessons and the lasting impacts of COVID-19. “We’re working closely with our partners to strengthen and expand our aquatics programs, aiming to improve these statistics,” she added.
What’s crucial for parents to understand is that swimming lessons are not just about improving swimming skills but also about ensuring children are safe in and around water. Belgravia Leisure is proactive in addressing these challenges — 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 GOswim program recognises that swimming lessons from a young age are vital for children’s safety. “It’s really important right from the beginning that they’re comfortable with water,” Catherine noted, stressing the necessity for children to learn how to navigate various water bodies safely.
The GOswim program is designed to make learning these essential skills engaging and accessible for all ages and abilities. With activity-based lessons led by highly qualified instructors, GOswim ensures students are not only safe but also enjoy the experience.
For parents concerned about their children’s swimming abilities, Catherine advises reaching out to local swim centre where GOswim programs are available. “They’ll make sure that your child is put in the right level to start to build their confidence.”
Through its structured, graded approach, GOswim provides ongoing support tailored to each student, fostering confidence and critical water safety skills from the start. Together, we can work towards ensuring every child has the skills they need to stay safe in and around water. You can find your nearest GOswim location here.
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