Nepean Aquatic Centre

Swimming is for Everyone All Year Round

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 03:27:43 GMT

Swimming is for everyone, all year round

Every year, the end of summer comes up far too quickly, and I find myself urging everyone to just keep swimming – all year round!

Why? Swimming is for absolutely everyone: from birth to the very end, swimming is an activity that enhances a person’s life. Once you know how to swim, it’s a skill you can use for a lifetime, in so many settings. Swimming brings families together: whether it's bonding with your baby during swimming lessons, enjoying the beach or poolside at home or on holidays, or supporting your competitive swimmer at meets, swimming time is often family time (especially as electronic devices and water don’t mix!)

Most importantly……….. swimming can save your life. That’s it. The bottom line. Improved water safety is the number one reason to enrol in swimming lessons to improve swimming skills, no matter what age or stage you or your child are at.

We encourage children to begin swimming at 6 months of age, and to regularly attend swimming lessons until their age-related safety milestones are met – consistency is key. Never learnt to swim and now as an adult don’t know where or how to start? We offer adult swimming lessons to help you reach your goals. Are you over 60 years of age? We also have a very special Seniors Water Wellness Program coming up in March in conjunction with Royal Lifesaving Australia and Seniors Week, offering a free lifesaving skills refresher program to kickstart your journey back into aquatic recreation. Visit www.drowningprevention.org.au/event-details/penrith-seniors-water-wellness-nepean to b ook your free spot.

Want to fast-track your child’s water safety and swimming skills in the school holidays? Our school holiday intensive swim lessons and Paddles Super Swim camps are designed to build your child’s capability and confidence. Check out our website for upcoming dates and details.

Like to work out in the water and enjoy all of the benefits of low-impact exercise? Join us for Aquarobics classes or lap swimming in our indoor heated pools. Looking for a pool party that isn’t dependent upon the weather? Come party with us, complete with lifeguards and inflatable slides for hours of birthday or team-building fun.

Since 2011, we have taught thousands of local people to swim at Nepean Aquatic Centre! Whether you're a child or an adult, mastering the art of swimming offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond the water's edge.

To celebrate our 15th birthday at Nepean Aquatic Centre, we are offering a Special Offer in March for Western Weekender readers - get your first lesson free upon enrolment! The offer is applicable for all new enrolments and re-enrolments, at both Nepean Aquatic Centre and Eva Borys Swim School, and all enrolment T’s and C’s apply. Just mention the Western Weekender to get your First lesson free and enrol with us today!

Until next time, stay safer! Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

How long will it take for my child to Learn To Swim?

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:32:42 GMT

How long will it take for my child to Learn To Swim?

I am often asked by parents considering enrolling their child in swimming lessons ‘How long will it take for my child to Learn to Swim?” Unfortunately, it is not a question I can answer simply, as every child is different, and learning to swim is a long-term, ongoing process.

My best advice – start early – and if you didn’t start your child early – start now. Australian experts recommend starting swimming lessons from 6 months, but you can and should practice early water familiarisation before this. Babies are not born with a fear of water, but can easily develop a fear if not acclimatised to water, so make sure the baby has regular baths and showers, and becomes comfortable with the sensation of water being trickled and then poured over their head. Your 6-month-old will then accept the water more readily and with less fear than an older child who is suddenly exposed to water in an unfamiliar environment outside of the home.

Drowning is a fast and silent killer. Children aged 0 to 4 years are at high risk of drowning, and the impact on families is devastating. It is a risky time, as young children are naturally curious and attracted to water but do not yet understand the concept of danger. The earlier a small child can get to the side of the pool after a jump or fall into the water and pull

themselves out, the better and the safer they will be. Acquiring this skill takes time and practice, but it is worth every effort to master.

I cannot give you a timeframe in which a child will learn, but consistency is the key to the development and maintenance of swimming skills, so attending lessons should become an established part of your child’s weekly routine throughout their infant, preschool, and early school years. Regular lessons all year round allow your child to practise the swimming skills

appropriate to their developmental stage and learn at their own pace. Patience and encouragement are key. As with any skill, it is normal for the child to go through periods of plateau, regression, and developmental leaps throughout the process of learning to swim, but over time, constant progress is being made.

We usually say (as a general guide) that your child has become a capable swimmer when they are able to swim 400 metres with good technique, without stopping, and without becoming exhausted. This level of skill may take children individual amounts of time to reach, but it establishes a strong swimming foundation. These swimming skills should then be retained in children over 7 years of age, whereas younger children need consistent reinforcement to maintain their competency.

It is important to remember that swimming is not just another option on the list of sports and activities available to children – it is an invaluable lifelong skill that may just save their lives – and we offer swimming lessons 7 days a week at 2 different sites.

Jump onto the website www.nepeanaquaticcentre.com.au or give us a call, and get your child into swimming lessons asap. Not knowing how to swim in Australia is just not worth the risk.

Our Smallest Children are at the Largest Risk of Drowning

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:21:28 GMT

Our Smallest Children are at the Largest Risk of Drowning

Did you know that Royal Lifesaving Australia research shows that one-year-old children are statistically at the greatest risk of drowning in Australia, with the risk of drowning tripling after a child's first birthday?

This is largely to do with children becoming more mobile at this age. "Parents and carers need to know that the risk of drowning triples as soon as a child starts to crawl, peaking shortly after a child's first birthday," Royal Lifesaving CEO Justin Scarr said.

The importance of swimming lessons cannot be underestimated. The sooner a child can turn themselves around after a jump or fall into the water and return to the side, the safer they will be. We understand how busy parents are and that morning or weekend Water Babies lessons may not suit all families, especially families who also have older children in afternoon swimming lessons, which is why we also offer afternoon Water Babies swimming lessons at Nepean Aquatic Centre.

Our Water Babies program teaches young babies and children games and exercises that teach them when to jump into the water, when to hold their breath, and to either turn over and float or paddle back to the side and hold on, or to pull themselves out. This is absolutely crucial to a child’s water safety. Lessons also teach children to wait their turn, and not to e nter the water until invited to do so with an adult, an important skill when by the pool at home.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics lists drowning as the number one cause of accidental death in children under 5. Royal Life Saving said "almost all" drowning deaths in children under 5 were due to lack of adult supervision, with most of the deaths a result of a fall into the water. Royal Life Australia recommends that children aged 0-5 should be within arm’s reach of a supervising adult at all times when around water.

Mr Scarr said, "We can't emphasise enough how important active adult supervision is in preventing these deaths. Distractions are dangerous - whether it is taking a phone call, browsing social media, or ducking inside to grab something - we ask parents and carers to always keep watch. In addition, it is essential that people install pool fences and check pool gates regularly to make sure they are not faulty or kept propped open."

We run water Babies swimming lessons 7 days a week. Interested in afternoon Water Babies lessons? Jump onto the website www.nepeanaquaticcentre.com.au or give us a call.

Why prioritise Learn To Swim?

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 01:14:40 GMT

Why prioritise Learn To Swim?

With children back to school this week I wanted to remind parents of all the benefits of Learn To Swim, and why swimming lessons should be a non negotiable part of your child’s weekly routine! It is so important to swim all year round, alongside any other sports and activities in our busy family schedules. Learning to swim is an activity that offers numerous benefits for children beyond simply staying safe in water. From physical health to mental well-being, swimming provides a holistic approach to a child's development in a way that no other sport or activity can match.

The most obvious and most important benefit of learning to swim is water safety. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in children of all ages, with a high number of non drowning immersion incidents causing life long injuries, and teaching kids how to swim reduces the risk significantly. Knowing how to float, tread water, and perform basic strokes

can save lives in emergency situations. Moreover, understanding water safety rules instils confidence and promotes responsible behaviour around water.

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise that engages the entire body, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and enhancing flexibility. Swimming is low impact, making it suitable for children of all ages and fitness levels, and regular swimming sessions can help combat childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Swimming also has therapeutic effects on children's mental health and emotional well being. The soothing nature of water calms their minds and reduces stress and anxiety. Swimming releases endorphins and also provides an outlet for pent-up energy and emotions, helping children regulate their emotions more effectively. Plus, swimming lessons provide opportunities for children to socialise and make new friends!

Learning to swim empowers children and boosts their self-confidence. Overcoming the initial fear of water and mastering new skills gives them a sense of achievement. As children progress in their swimming abilities, they gain confidence not only in the pool but also in other areas of their lives. This newfound confidence can translate into improved social

interactions, academic performance, and overall well-being! Learn to Swim lessons are often a child’s very first structured activity.

Swimming is a life skill that opens up a world of opportunities for children. It enables them to participate in water-based activities such as snorkelling, surfing, and kayaking. Strong swimming skills can lead to future endeavours such as lifeguarding, competitive swimming, or even careers in aquatic sports – we have lots of junior employees whose first job is with us!

By introducing children to swimming at an early age and allowing children to consistently swim all year round, parents provide their children with a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life both in and out of the water. On the flip side, a break from lessons often leads to skill regression, undoing some of the progress made prior to time out of the water. I encourage all parents (or grandparents!) to make swimming lessons non negotiable part of your child’s weekly routine in 2026 and beyond, at least until they reach their swim safety skill benchmarks.

See you soon at the pool!

Start a Rewarding Career Teaching Children to Swim

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:54:21 GMT

Become a Swim Instructor – Teach a Skill for Life

Are you looking for rewarding local casual work with children, teaching them a skill for life? Are you available afternoons and weekends? We are currently recruiting, offering successful individuals the chance to become certified swimming instructors and teach kids one of life’s most important skills — how to swim!

So why become a swim instructor with us? It is both rewarding and fulfilling knowing you are making a difference in the lives of the little people who attend learn to swim lessons and teaching them a skill that may one day even save their life. As swimming continues to rank among the top recreational activities for children, the need for skilled teachers who can combine safety, fun, and learning has never been higher.

What qualities are we looking for?

• Applicants must have a genuine passion for working with children while

teaching a skill for life!

• Are you a Weekend Warrior? We are seeking people with the availability to work on weekends with the ability to work on one or both days (Saturday and Sunday), plus multiple weekday afternoons.

• Prior experience is not required; internal paid training will be provided.

• A bright and cheerful attitude paired with a strong work ethic !

• Applicants must be 16 years of age or older and must obtain a Working with Children Check if 18 or over before progressing through our recruitment process.

We are also seeking (preferably already qualified) instructors who are interested in being upskilled to work with our Achievers Program for neurodivergent and uniquely-abled children. Our Achievers program runs on Sunday at Nepean Aquatic Centre, so consistent Sunday availability is a must .

Seeing a child go from being afraid of the water to swimming their first lap is something you can’t forget - it’s an incredible feeling to know you’ve helped make that happen. Join our team and make a positive impact on children’s lives by teaching them essential water safety skills. As part of the Nepean Swim & Fitness team, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a fun, friendly, and supportive environment with a flexible schedule and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Interested? Email me asap - julie@nepeanswim.com.au - to express your interest and request further information. Interviews will be taking place soon!

Jump Back Into Healthy Habits in 2026

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:41:40 GMT

Jump Back Into Healthy Habits in 2026

With lots of us going back to work this week, it’s time to get back into good routines, and for many, back to regular exercise to combat the after effects of the festive celebrations! Water exercise is a perfect place to start for many of us.

Regular exercise is incredibly important for both physical and mental health and wellbeing, but running, going to the gym or group sport isn’t for everyone, particularly if you have mobility issues of any type. Water is 15 times more resistant than air, so many people use water resistance training when injured to maintain their cardiovascular fitness with less impact and stress on joints, bones, and muscles due to the buoyancy of water. The support provided by the water also makes it an ideal environment for post workout recovery and stretching, and provides relief for sufferers of many health conditions including arthritis, back pain, heart disease, obesity, fibromyalgia, or multiple sclerosis.

Aquarobics is not just for seniors as it has sometimes been perceived and can be a highly challenging and effective workout. Aquatic exercise is one of the most effective ways to train whilst putting less stress on the body and increasing your range of motion, regardless of your age, gender or fitness level! We offer a range of classes for all fitness levels, including gentle classes for seniors or rehab, and options for pre and post natal women, with a group of fun and friendly instructors.

The beauty of Aquarobics is that you can work at your own pace, and that the exercise is low impact, so much kinder to knees, hips, backs and ankles. Just as importantly – it’s set to music, is great fun, mood boosting, non intimidating and very social – providing wonderful benefits for both body and mind! Grab a friend and come and join us to see what all the fuss is about. But I warn you – Aquarobics is addictive! Just ask the participants who have been coming along for 5, 10 and in some cases 20 years………!

If you prefer a solo workout, lap swimming is the ultimate all-in-one exercise, working most muscles in the body with every stroke, increasing flexibility and muscle endurance. Muscles are strengthened and toned as a result of water resistance, core strength is improved, and the nature of breathing whilst swimming promotes greater lung capacity.

We also offer squad swimming, or Kids Swim 4 Fitness as an alternative for children and teenagers who like to swim purely for fitness, without the training schedule and competitive aspect that comes with squads. Joining a local swim club is a great way to swim to swim, race and socialise with other fans of swimming, and membership is open to both competitive and social swimmers.

Whichever option you choose, please observe basic swim safety and enjoy your water workouts this summer.

See you next week.

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life.

Swimming and Water Safety

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:43:27 GMT

Swimming and Water Safety

I wish I could say Happy New Year, but unfortunately, it’s been a horror start to 2026 in terms of water safety. Speaking to Sydney's 2GB radio last week, Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce described the death toll so far for 2026 as "absolutely horrendous", and I have to agree. At the time of writing 5 people have lost their lives and surf lifesavers say they

have performed hundreds of rescues across the nation's beaches since Christmas Day.

Over the New Year period, the risk of drowning is three times greater than at any other time of the year. So it seems timely to remind everyone to commit to some Water Safety resolutions, and to implementing them all year round?

Supervision is key. A lapse in adult supervision was the major risk factor in 100% of all toddler drowning deaths last year, and drowning remains the number 1 cause of accidental death in children under 5, with most deaths in this age group occurring in backyard pools. Please don’t be distracted when with children around water - nothing is more important than their safety. Put the phone down and enjoy this precious time in the sun. Never assume someone else is watching.

Every water safety education programme has a common message – learn to swim – from babies to children to adults. It is a proven fact that swimming lessons save lives. The sooner your child can get safety back to the edge of the pool unaided, the better. Make this year your year to get your kids into lessons, and to learn yourself if required. If your children are not yet in lessons – please enrol them. If your children are learning to swim – please keep them in lessons until they are truly competent. Looking for something to do next week? We run intensive discounted lessons at Nepean Aquatic Centre, fast tracking swim skills.

At home, it’s so important to check pool fences regularly & shut the gate. Accidental falls into water remain the leading activity prior to drowning among children under five. Check the fence is safe and cannot be climbed, and that the pool gate is self latching. Barriers provide an important extra layer of protection but are never a substitute for constant adult

supervision.

At the beach, swim between the flags and in patrolled areas only at the beach, and be aware of any rip currents – the ocean can be deadly, and swimmers can be swept out to sea incredibly quickly. Children should be arms reach at the beach. We are very lucky to live so near to the beautiful Nepean River, Penrith Beach, and various waterholes in nearby

national parks, however the flat, still surface of an inland waterway can give a false sense of security, and currents, undertows or submerged objects can prove to be very dangerous. The message is simple: wear a lifejacket when on the river, avoid consumption of alcohol and drugs around water, know your limits, don’t take any risks, and never swim alone. Would you know what to do in an emergency? If the answer is no, make it your resolution to learn CPR in 2026.

Let’s all make 2026 the year to improve the swimming and water safety skills of all Australians and to see more local children reach all of the recommended swimming benchmarks, for lifelong safe and active participation in physical aquatic activities and recreation.

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life

Your January school holidays sorted!

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:08:18 GMT

Your January school holidays sorted!

Looking for things to do this School Holidays that also teach your child a skill for life and represent great value for money, while also keeping them off screens and devices? We have you covered.

It’s all about health and safety for us, and it’s so important that children learn about water safety as soon and as consistently as possible. One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is to watch children taking on board the water safety lessons learnt in early swimming classes, graduate to preschool classes, then attend camps and intensive programs, becoming safer swimmers all year round, year on year.

This January school holidays we are running our very popular ‘Paddles Super Swim Camp’, a 2 day vacation care program where water safety meets fun and children learn all about the basics of CPR and First Aid, the Kids Alive Do the Five pool safety rules, and get to practise in water rescues and lifeguarding skills, plus a pool party with the inflatable slide on the final day! Many children attend this camp every school holidays, making lasting friendships and positive memories. Our camp leaders are all qualified lifeguards, and fantastic role models for the children attending. Please note, this camp is only suitable for children kindy to year 6 who are able to swim without floatation.

We are also offering a 5 or 10 discounted School Holiday Intensive Program in January to fast track swim skills, technique and water confidence which is always popular and rewarding. Lessons are available for Squids to Sharks at Nepean Aquatic Centre, and we offer a discount of more than 30% off our regular lesson price on these intensive lessons to improve children's swimming and water safety skills during a short timeframe within the school holidays – a perfect way to catch up on skills before beginning weekly lessons or consolidate skills learnt in weekly lessons (plus expend some of your child’s school holiday energy through physical activity!) Dates and details for both programs are on our website,

but be quick, places fill fast!

Are your children too young for these programs? No problem. Weekly lessons still remain the most effective way to ensure your children are meeting their expected swimming skill benchmarks, and our lessons start from 6 months of age, and it’s never too early for water safety education at home. Fear of the water is acquired, so make sure baby has regular baths and showers from newborn and becomes comfortable with the sensation of water being trickled and then poured over their head. Your six month old will then accept the water more readily, and with less fear, when starting formal lessons.

Water safety should also be regularly reinforced at home - never go near the pool without an adult, never climb the pool fence, shut the gate, let an adult know if another child goes near the pool alone, swim between the flags at the beach, reach to rescue, be careful in the bath, etc.

Through repetition, these safety messages become embedded and form good habits in children that will last a lifetime. There are lots of options, so let’s help our children by teaching them how to stay safer around the water!

See you next week!

Give the gift of swimming lessons!

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:18:56 GMT

Give the gift of swimming lessons!

This year has certainly been challenging in terms of the continuing rise in the cost of living, making the lead-up to Christmas an anxious time for many households. All of these circumstances have me questioning if we really need all the extra purchases that usually accompany this time of year, and if the type of presents we are giving needs to be rethought?

For me, this Christmas needs to be a stress-free event, less about multiple or large presents under the tree, and all about time spent with loved ones. It is very important this year that the gifts I exchange with family are meaningful, not whatever I could grab during my usual last-minute dash to Westfields the weekend before the big day. A gift that will not end up

discarded by New Year’s Day. A gift that won’t be stashed in a cupboard or in my next council collection. A gift that will make a difference and bring joy to the recipient. A gift that will promote long-lasting confidence, skills or a memorable experience.

Swimming lessons are a gift that requires no storage space, promotes health, physical activity and safety, is fun, and teaches a skill that will last a lifetime. Alan Bentley, owner of Nepean Swim and Fitness agreed. “Many children missed out on time in the water during the pandemic, and we are still seeing the effects to this day, with swimming milestones consistently not being reached by Aussie kids. However, the dangers of the water remain, so gifting swimming lessons for Christmas is both a thoughtful and practical gift. Adults who are unable to swim may also request swimming lessons for Christmas to help them to set and reach the goal of learning to swim in 2025”.

As I mentioned in an earlier article, Royal Life Saving Australia is urging parents to enrol their 8, 9 and 10-year-olds in swimming and water safety lessons as soon as possible, warning that too many children are missing out on the vital skills to keep them safe. Research shows 60% of kids start lessons before age 3, but most have dropped out before age 7. Royal Life Saving is reminding parents that learning to swim as a young child is a great start - but it’s often not enough to keep them safe as teenagers (when the drowning risk increases by 13 times) or last a lifetime.

Our gift vouchers can be used for any of our programs and are available from reception. Contact us on 4730 8900 to arrange a gift voucher or suggest a Gift Voucher to grandparents or family here or even overseas! Happy shopping!

See you next week!

Happy Little Water Babies

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 04:07:02 GMT

Happy Little Water Babies

Your baby can’t yet walk, so why should they learn to swim? For safety, first and foremost! One of the best things a parent can do to keep their child safer around water is to ensure they start Learn to Swim classes as soon as possible, especially with summer fast approaching, but are you aware of all of the other benefits of swimming lessons for babies?

We often have less time than we would like with our kids (it is an unfortunate effect of being so busy), but swimming provides quality bonding time. Time in the pool is one of the few times when your child has your undivided attention for the duration, so make the most of it! To make family schedules easier, we’re launching new Monday afternoon classes and Tuesday morning classes at Nepean Aquatic Centre from early January 2026 - perfect timeslots for little ones and school-aged siblings to swim at the same time.

Swimming can also improve a baby’s sleeping pattern. While I’m not making any promises that swimming will make the baby sleep through the night every night…….. I can say that the extra exercise did make my notorious night owl babies sleepier! Additionally, swimming can improve a baby’s appetite, and in turn, a full belly can further promote sleep……. win-win!

Swimming helps promote important muscle development and control in babies at a young age. Little ones will need to develop the muscles needed to hold their heads up, move their arms and legs, and work their core in coordination with the rest of their body. As a result, swimming helps to improve coordination and balance. It’s not easy learning to move those little arms and legs together, and even small, coordinated movements represent big leaps in your baby’s development.

Being in the water uniquely engages your baby’s body, creating billions of new neurons as your baby kicks, glides, and smacks at the water. Bilateral cross-patterning movements, which use both sides of the body to act, help your baby’s brain grow. This facilitates communication, feedback, and modulation from one side of the brain to another. Down the road, this may improve reading skills, language development, academic learning and spatial awareness, as demonstrated by a recent four-year study of more than 7,000 children by Griffith University, which suggested that children who swim have advances in physical and mental development when compared to their peers who don’t swim.

Swimming is also a unique social experience, which furthers its brain-boosting power. Water baby’s classes also include elements including songs and skin-to-skin contact with parents or caregivers. Children interact with one another and the instructor and begin to learn to function in groups. These elements, plus the fun of learning a new skill, can boost

your baby’s sociability and wellbeing!

Don’t forget, you can get your baby prepared for swimming before you go to the pool by using bath time at home to get your baby used to the feeling of being immersed in water and the splashing of the water on and over their faces and heads. Swim Australia recommends starting lessons from 6 months of age. Don’t delay – just get your baby into the water!

To book, check out the Water Babies program on the NepeanSwim App, email contact@nepeanswim.com.au, or call (02) 4730 8900.

More info: www.nepeanaquaticcentre.com.au/water-babies

Until next week!

Love to Swim. Swim for Safety. Swim for Life.

Teenagers thirteen times more likely to drown than other age groups.

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:03:38 GMT

Teenagers thirteen times more likely to drown than other age groups

In my column a few weeks back I touched on the fact that the National Drowning Report 2025 reported the highest number of drowning deaths since records began, many of which were in the teenage age group. New research shows that the risk of drowning rises sharply for teenagers, surging 1300% or thirteen times (13x), between the ages of 10 and 20 years.

Worryingly, the new data shows that drowning in 15–20-year-olds has increased by 34% in the five years since 2021 (COVID-19 pandemic), compared to the five years prior. Royal Life Saving estimates that over 10 million swimming lessons were missed due to the pandemic. Five years on, many of those children are teenagers, who can’t swim but are likely to be exposed to drowning in rivers and beaches, where strong swimming skills are important.

So, what can be done to address this? Royal Life Saving Australia is urging parents to enrol their 8, 9 and 10-year-olds in swimming and water safety lessons as soon as possible, warning that too many children miss out on the vital skills that keep them safe, as teenagers and young adults, when drowning risk increases thirteen-fold. Research shows 60% of kids

start lessons before age 3, but most have dropped out before age 7. Royal Life Saving is reminding parents that learning to swim as a young child is a great start - but it’s often not enough to keep them safe as teenagers or last a lifetime.

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer Dr Justin Scarr said “The decline in swimming skills in children is a key factor driving elevated drowning in teenagers and young adults”. More than half of 10-year-olds and 40% of 15-year-olds can’t swim 50 metres, and most of those may never swim, placing them at life-long elevated risk of drowning.

“If your children quit lessons before 7, a second dose of swimming at age 10 or before could be a lifesaving decision. Whether to build confident swimmers, encourage them into water sports or recreational activities, and to prevent drowning later in life, swimming is for life, and no child should miss out,” Dr Scarr said.

To help parents assess their children at age of 10, before drowning risk elevates, Royal Life Saving is providing the following checklist: Can your 10-year-old swim 50 metres and float for two minutes? If they fell from a boat or slipped off rocks, could they float and/or swim 50- 100m to safety? If peer pressure meant they jumped from a jetty or rocks, could they swim to safety? If they were caught in a river current, would they know what to do to help them survive?

If the answer is no, or if you are not sure, then both we and Royal Life Saving are encouraging parents to get their kids back to swimming lessons!

Until next week, stay safer! Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

What to expect at swimming lessons with us?

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:24:53 GMT

What to expect at swimming lessons with us?

In last week’s column I wrote with a heavy heart about the fact that we have recorded the highest number of drowning deaths since records began over the past 12 months. One of the major ways we can combat these figures is to ensure everyone learns to swim, at all ages, but sometimes fear of the unknown can hold us back. I am often asked what to expect as someone begins swimming lessons?

For the majority of students, regardless of age and lesson plan, lessons focus both on initial swimming skills and basic water acclimatisation and safety, like floating and blowing bubbles, while also building comfort and trust with the instructor and creating positive associations with the water. Progress will be gradual and individual, depending on a range of factors like possible fear of water, physical coordination and consistency, which is absolutely crucial to learning any new skill. Lessons will over time progress to teaching specific skills like kicks, strokes, and breathing techniques, with a long-term goal of water safety and improved physical and mental health.

There is no set timeline for learning, as progress depends on individual comfort levels and abilities and students must be allowed to progress at their own pace. Patience is important, as is the practise and reinforcement of key skills learnt at home, perhaps in the bath for our smallest students (closely supervised of course), or in a public pool for older children and adults (with a lifeguard on duty for safety).

It is important to realise that young children may be upset in the first lesson, and even for several weeks, but this is not a reason to abandon swimming lessons! This is absolutely normal, as swimming lessons are often the first time a child engages in a structured activity outside of the home, and it can take more than one lesson for a child to build trust and

comfort with the instructor. I speak from experience and understand that as a parent it is very difficult to watch the child not enjoying every moment of their lesson from the very beginning, but perseverance is key to the child learning a life skill that could actually save their life. The level of comfort I know feel sending my children off to camps and pool parties

knowing that they can swim far outweighs any momentary discomfort in those early days!

You can do many things at home to offset any resistance, such as speaking positively at home about swimming lessons, encouraging excitement and enthusiasm, and by modelling calm and confidence yourself around the water. If you don’t know how to swim – please learn and model water safety and confidence to your children. My children knew from a very

young age that learning to swim was a non negotiable priority in their week, and would remain so until they were competent and had reached all recommended safety milestones. The 2024 RLS National Drowning Report revealed the risk of drowning increases tenfold for youth and young adults aged 10 to 20 because of a clear decline in swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills and an increase in risk-taking activities in this age group. Tenfold! That is a statistic I find truly frightening.

So – just get swimming! If you have any questions about lessons at any age, just reach out!

Until next week, stay safer! Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

The 2025 National Drowning Report reports the highest number of drowning deaths since records began.

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 03:55:04 GMT

Numbers are at an all time high!

As I write this first column back leading into summer, it is with a heavy heart as I reflect on the fact that drownings in Australia remain a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families, first responders, and communities every year. The National Drowning Report 2025, published by Royal Life Saving Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving

Australia, found there were 357 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, which was 27% higher than the 10-year average, and - shockingly - the highest number of drowning deaths since records began.

These numbers have prompted urgent water safety warnings across the media and government, with the rise in drownings being attributed to “swimming skills remaining at crisis levels” and “our aging population facing greater risks due to health and mobility challenges” by Royal Lifesaving Australia. In response to the statistics, the Australian Water

Safety Strategy 2030 is focused on “strengthening swimming and water safety skills, boosting local water safety efforts, and encouraging collaboration across all levels and sectors of government”.

However, we must also act as individuals to keep these numbers down in our own communities. I cannot stress enough the absolute importance of learning to swim, at any age, and there are so many other actions we can take to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Supervise young children at all times around water, check your pool fences and gates,

and learn CPR. 10% of all drowning deaths occurred in swimming pools, and 68% of those deaths were in backyard pools.

It is encouraging that we continue to see the number of drowning deaths in children aged 0-4 decrease as swimming lessons from 6 months of age become an important milestone of early childhood development, with this year’s report showing a 21% decrease in fatalities on the 10-year average. The lowest rates of drowning were in children 10 -14 years, but this rises sharply for young adults aged 15-24 years, with this age group showing a 38% increase on the 10-year average. It is crucial to ensure that older children achieve their swimming benchmarks so that they have the skills needed later in life when not under direct adult supervision, and at an age when risk-taking behavior is at an all-time high developmentally.

Somewhat surprisingly, drowning rates were above the 10-year average for every age group over 45 years of age, and one-third of all drowning deaths were adults aged 65 and older. The news was even worse in the next age group, with the highest drowning rates in people aged 75 years and older. Where the country of birth was known, 33% of all drowning victims were born overseas. Remember, it’s never too late to learn how to swim.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing drowning. Seeing the drowning numbers at an all-time high over the past 12 months is a national disgrace and something we must work together to change.

Until next week, stay safer!

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

Just Keep Swimming, all year round!

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:12:13 GMT

Just Keep Swimming, all year round!

Every year the end of summer comes up far too quickly and I find myself urging everyone to

just keep swimming – all year round! Why? Because……..

You can swim all year round: as much as I love being outside in the summer enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and water, there is nothing better than a swim in a heated pool followed by a hot shower in the cooler months to refresh and energise you during the day time, or relax you ready for sleep in the evening.

Swimming is low impact: whether your discomfort is from injury or ageing, your muscles and joints are cushioned in the water, supported but also met with resistance as you swim or work out. When injured, modified swimming is the perfect way to burn calories and stay toned. Swimming is an excellent calorie burner: Just 30 minutes of exercise in water is the

equivalent of approximately an hour’s non-water exercise, and you even continue to burn calories even when you’ve gotten out of the pool!

Swimming makes us happy: Swimming can help improve mental well-being, reducing tension, anxiety, depression, anger, confusion and increasing energy levels. Due to the use of large muscle groups and the endorphins released, swimming always makes me feel better, physically and mentally.

But overall - swimming is for everyone: from birth to the very end, swimming is an activity that enhances a person’s life at every age and stage. Once you know how to swim, it’s a skill you can use for a lifetime, in so many settings. Swimming brings families together: whether its bonding with your baby during swimming lessons, enjoying the beach or poolside at home or on holidays, or supporting your competitive swimmer at meets, swimming time is often family time (especially as electronic devices and water don’t mix!)

Most importantly……….. swimming can save your life. That’s it. The bottom line. Improved water safety is the number one reason why I love to swim, will continue to swim regularly, all year round, and encourage others to do so too!

Interested on our School Holiday Intensive Swim Lessons and Paddles Super Swim camps to build your child’s swimming and water safety skills and confidence? Click the links for more details!

We are offering a Special Offer in March for Western Weekender readers - get your first lesson free upon enrolment! The offer is applicable for all new enrolments and re-enrolments, at both Nepean Aquatic Centre and Eva Borys Swim School, and all enrolment T’s and C’s apply. Just mention the Western Weekender to get your First lesson free and enrol with us today.

Until next time, stay safer! Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

Water education should be FUN!

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 01:53:12 GMT

Water Safety Education should be FUN!

It’s all about safety for us, and it’s so important that children learn about water safety as soon and as consistently as possible. One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is to watch children taking on board the water safety lessons learnt in early swimming classes, graduate to preschool classes, then attend camps and intensive programs, becoming safer swimmers year on year.

In the school holidays we run a two day ‘Paddles Super Swim Camp’, where water safety meets fun and children learn all about the basics of CPR and First Aid, the Kids Alive Do the Five pool safety rules, and get to practise in water rescue and

lifeguarding skills, plus a pool party with the inflatable slide on the final day. We also offer a four day discounted intensive swimming program in the school holidays to fast track swim skills, which is always popular and rewarding. Dates are on our website!

It’s never too early for water safety education, and the lessons should start very early, at home. Fear of the water is acquired, so make sure baby has regular baths and showers from newborn and becomes comfortable with the sensation of water being trickled and then poured over their head. Swim Australia recommends starting swimming lessons from 6 months, but you can and should practice early water familiarisation before this. Your six month old will then accept the water more readily, and with less fear, when starting formal lessons.

There are lots of options, so let’s help our children by teaching them how to stay safer around the water!

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

Nepean Aquatic Centre is fourteen this week!

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 01:57:32 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Since 2011 we have taught thousands of local people to swim at Nepean Aquatic Centre! Whether you're a child or an adult, mastering the art of swimming offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond the water's edge. To mark this milestone, here are fourteen compelling reasons why learning to swim should be on everyone's to-do list:

Water Safety: Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Australia, especially in the 0-5 age group. Learning to swim significantly reduces the risk of drowning, equipping individuals with the skills needed to navigate water safely.

Confidence Boost: Mastering swimming strokes and techniques instils confidence in individuals, both in the water and in daily life.

Physical Fitness: Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and enhances flexibility, all while being low-impact on the joints.

Stress Relief: Being in the water has a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Social Opportunities: Swimming opens doors to social activities such as water sports, swim clubs, and group fitness classes, providing opportunities to meet new people and make friends.

Life-Long Skill: Once learned, swimming is a skill that can be enjoyed throughout one's lifetime, from childhood into old age.

Safety Around Water: Knowing how to swim enables individuals to enjoy water-based activities such as boating, snorkeling, and kayaking safely.

Improved Coordination and Balance: Swimming requires coordination between various muscle groups and helps improve balance and spatial awareness.

Burns Calories: Swimming is an efficient calorie-burning exercise that aids in weight management and contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Therapeutic Benefits: Water therapy, including swimming, is used to rehabilitate injuries, alleviate chronic pain, and improve overall well-being.

Rescue Skills: Learning to swim not only protects oneself but also enables individuals to potentially save others in water-related emergencies.

Boosts Mental Health: Swimming releases endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators, which can help combat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Summer Enjoyment: Being proficient in all aquatic environments ensures enjoyment during our hot summer months, whether at the beach, pool, or water park.

And an incredibly important reason…………..It’s Fun!

To celebrate our birthday we are offering a Special Offer in March for Western Weekender readers - get your first lesson free upon enrolment! The offer is applicable for all new enrolments and re-enrolments, at both Nepean Aquatic

Centre and Eva Bory's Swim School, and all enrolment T’s and C’s apply. Just mention the Western Weekender to get your First lesson free and enrol with us today.

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life!

Just Keep Swim all Year Round

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:18:13 GMT

Just Keep Swimming, All Year Round

Every year the end of summer comes up far too quickly and I find myself urging everyone to just keep swimming – all year round – for so many reasons……….

equivalent of approximately an hour’s non-water exercise, and you even continue to burn calories even when you’ve gotten out of the pool!

Swimming makes us happy: swimming can help improve mental well-being, reducing tension, anxiety, depression, anger, confusion and increasing energy levels. Due to the use of large muscle groups and the endorphins released, swimming always makes me feel better, physically and mentally.

Swimming is great fitness training: alongside other sports, for strength, stamina and mobility – who wouldn’t want that competitive edge out on the sporting field!

But overall, swimming is an activity that enhances a person’s life at every age and stage. Once you know how to swim, it’s a skill you can use for a lifetime, in so many settings. You can try snorkelling, playing water polo, participating in water aerobics, swimming in a triathlon, or scuba diving – and demonstrate a level of comfort and enjoyment in the water

that inspires your family, including your children, to do the same.

Swimming brings families together: whether its bonding with your baby during swimming lessons, enjoying the beach or poolside at home or on holidays, or supporting your competitive swimmer at meets, swimming time is often family time (especially as electronic devices and water don’t mix!)

To make it even easier to swim with us all year round, we are offering a Special Offer in March for Western Weekender readers - get your first lesson free upon enrolment! The offer is applicable for all new enrolments and re-enrolments, and all enrolment T’s and C’s apply. Just mention the Western Weekender to get your First lesson free and enrol with us today .

See you soon at the pool.

Our smallest people are at the largest risk of drowning

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:18:39 GMT

Our smallest people are at the largest risk of drowning

A Royal Lifesaving Australia report suggests that one year old children are statistically at the greatest risk of drowning in Australia, with the risk of drowning tripling after a child's first birthday.

"Parents and carers need to know that the risk of drowning triples as soon as a child starts to crawl, peaking shortly after a child's first birthday," Royal Lifesaving CEO Justin Scarr said.

afternoon swimming lessons, which is why we this week introduced afternoon Water Babies swimming lessons at Nepean Aquatic Centre.

Our Water Babies program teaches young babies and children games and exercises that teach them when to jump into the water, when to hold their breath and to either turn over and float or paddle back to the side and hold on, or to pull themselves out. This is absolutely crucial to a child’s water safety. Lessons also teach children to wait their turn, and not to

enter the water until invited to do so with an adult, an important skill when by the pool at home.

Mr Scarr said "We can't emphasise enough how important active adult supervision is in preventing these deaths. Distractions are dangerous - whether it is taking a phone call, browsing social media or ducking inside to grab something - we ask parents and carers to always keep watch. In addition, it is essential that people install pool fences and check pool gates regularly to make sure they are not faulty or kept propped open."

Royal Life Australia recommends that children 0-5 should be within arm’s reach of a supervising adult at all times when around water.

We run water Babies swimming lessons 7 days a week. Interested in afternoon Water Babies lessons? Visit our Water Babies page or give us a call .

Aubrey's Swim Story

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 03:24:02 GMT

Aubrey's Swim Story

We’d like to introduce you to Aubrey!

Aubrey began her swimming journey at just one year old in our Water Babies program. Living locally, Aubrey’s parents recognised the importance of their children learning to swim from a young age. Water is such an integral part of Australian life, so Aubrey’s parents wanted their kids to be safer and more confident in the water.

Aubrey’s early days in the pool weren’t always easy, with plenty of tears and uncertainty in the water at first, especially when it came to floating on her back (as is the case with many of our little students). However, with time and patience and the guidance of our fantastic instructors like Julie and Jodie, Aubrey's confidence grew, and she soon learned to swim independently in our Learn to Swim program.

Fast forward to today, and Aubrey, now 7, has recently graduated from the Dolphins level and is now perfecting her stroke technique at Sharks level. Aubrey’s love for the water, fostered by her instructors, is a testament to how consistent swimming can build comfort and skill in the pool.

We believe that learning to swim is important for everyone, no matter their age. We’re incredibly proud of Aubrey’s progress and wish her all the best as she continues her swimming journey with us.

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life.

Safety in Natural Water Ways

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 23:53:56 GMT

Safety in Natural water ways

Bents Basin is a beautiful natural swimming spot that many of us have enjoyed with our families. It was so tragic to hear of the little boy who lost his life there last weekend.

At the time of writing, it has been reported that the boy was pulled unconscious from the water at Bents Basin approximately 5.15pm on Saturday 1 February 2025. Members of the public performed CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and took over. The boy was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead

Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.

Despite their beauty, rivers and creeks and natural waterways claim more lives each year than any other waterway in Australia. The flat, still surface of an inland waterway can give a false sense of security and even seemingly tranquil waterways can prove to be dangerous. It is worth remembering that conditions in rivers can change rapidly. Just because you might regularly visit an area, it doesn’t mean the environment will be the same the next time you visit. For example, sandbanks can move, and weather can adversely affect water conditions suddenly.

To make matters worse, inland waterways are not patrolled by lifeguards, and should you get into trouble, there may be no one around to help, so it is incredibly important to understand the hazards and risks involved to keep yourself and those with you safe.

Whether you’re swimming, boating or even just relaxing on the bank, there are many hidden dangers that you may not be aware of:

1. Simple safety measures can make all the difference. Please ensure you take a phone with you and actively supervise children at all times.

2. Never swim alone, and don’t overestimate your swimming ability, or underestimate the dangers in rivers.

3. Check for submerged objects and fast flowing water. Wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and drugs around water

The images published with the story of this terrible tragedy of an abandoned picnic and paddleboards are haunting. A lovely sunny family day out should not end this way. Every drowning is a person, not a statistic, and every drowning means so many lives will be immeasurably and irrevocably altered.

Bents Basin is far too close to home. Our thoughts are with the family and the community at this sad time

Back to School

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 01:06:14 GMT

Back to School

Schools are back for 2025 next week……..which means it’s time to get back into the routine of school and after school activities. Here’s yet another reason to prioritise children’s swimming lessons - did you know that children who are learning to swim also do better at school?

A study conducted by Griffith University suggests that swimming children are not only safer, but smarter. The research conducted over four years concluded that children who swim demonstrate more advanced cognitive and physical abilities than other children and indicates that swimming children have many advantages when starting school. Lead researcher Professor Robyn Jorgensen said "While we expected the children to show better physical development and perhaps be more confident through swimming, the results in literacy and numeracy really shocked us. The children were anywhere from six to fifteen months ahead of the normal population when it came to cognitive skills, problem solving in

mathematics, counting, language and following instructions."

In addition to achieving physical milestones faster, the swimming children scored significantly better in visual-motor skills such as cutting paper, colouring in and drawing lines and shapes. Professor Jorgensen added "On average, these children were eleven months ahead of the normal population in Oral Expression, six months ahead in Mathematics Reasoning and two months ahead in Brief Reading. Most amazing was the difference in Story Recall (17 months ahead) and Understanding Directions (20 months ahead)."

We have some morning swimming lesson places opening up at both of our centres this month as our preschoolers go off to kindergarten, so now is the perfect time to book your baby, toddler or preschooler into weekday morning lessons. Mornings are very focused on young children, with no school aged children in the centre, and set your child up for a good

lunch and afternoon rest after the exercise and mental stimulation swimming lessons provides.

Many children and parents will also experience their first school swimming carnival in the coming weeks. Encourage your child to take the plunge - a high student participation rate makes for a fun and exciting day for all, and with the number of children reaching the fifty meters freestyle swimming milestone declining, it is sad to see less competitors in these races each year.

Good luck to all and race well. If your children are not yet in swimming lessons, make this your year to start their swimming journey and begin to work towards the recommended swimming milestones!

Summer Drowning Statistics

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:10:03 GMT

Summer Drowning Statistics

The Christmas tree is well and truly packed away, however we still have a few weeks of summer holidays remaining before children return to school and the usual day to day family routine recommences, plus Australia Day and many more weekends before summer is over. Which means there are lots of opportunities remaining for time to be spent by the pool, at the beach, and in and around our waterways – which also means the potential for more drowning tragedies to occur.

At least 1 person drowned every day during last summer, 10 per cent of which were children aged 0– 14 years. Royal Life Saving Australia research shows a consistent peak in drowning cases during the summer months, with the deadliest time being between Christmas and New Year, and December and January recording the highest numbers of drowning deaths.

Public Holidays are also heavily represented in stories of drowning. In an effort to understand the increased risks at this time of year Royal Life Saving Australia annually compiles drowning data in real time from the 1 st December to the

end of February. This year’s data from 1st December 2024 to date paints a concerning picture. 66 drowning deaths have been recorded in Australia since December 1 st, an increase of 4 cases as compared to this time last year (62 recorded) and increase of 12 cases on the 5 year average (54). This years recorded drownings were across all age groups, states, and locations, including the beach, rivers, lakes and swimming pools.

No one is immune to drowning. There are many reasons for the increased number of drowning deaths during this

period, including holiday time to spend recreating, warm temperatures, over crowding at popular locations, alcohol consumption, lack of supervision, lack of adequate swim skills, rip currents, rough ocean conditions and other natural hazards, just to name a few.

Drowning is preventable! This Australia Day weekend please focus on your families swim safety when around water by supervising children at all times, ensuring all pool fences and gates are secure and self latching, using safety equipment such as life jackets when boating or participating in other water activities, swimming between the flags and following all instructions from lifeguards at the beach, being mindful of hazards when swimming in natural bodies of water such as the ocean, rivers or lakes, and never consuming alcohol before swimming or swimming alone.

Of course, swim skills remain vitally important all year round so if you or any member of your family has not yet learnt to swim, please make this a priority in 2025!

Have a happy and safe Australia Day!

Water Fitness

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:43:59 GMT

Water Fitness

The silly season is over and its time to get back into routine, including regular exercise (especially if this was one of your New Years resolutions)! Why not combat the after effects of the festive celebrations this year by adding exercise to your post-Christmas To Do list?

Regular exercise is incredibly important for both physical and mental health and wellbeing, but running, going to the gym or group sport isn’t for everyone, particularly if you have mobility issues of any type. Water exercise is a perfect place to start for many of us. Water is 15 times more resistant than air, so many people use water resistance training when injured to maintain their cardiovascular fitness with less impact and stress on joints, bones, and muscles due to the buoyancy of water. The support provided by the water also makes it an ideal environment for post workout recovery and stretching, and provides relief for sufferers of arthritis, back pain, heart disease, obesity, fibromyalgia, or multiple sclerosis.

Aquarobics isn’t just for the oldies as it has sometimes been perceived but can be a highly challenging and effective workout. Aquatic exercise is one of the most effective ways to train whilst putting less stress on the body and increasing your range of motion, regardless of your age, gender or fitness level! We offer a range of classes in both shallow and deep water for all ages, plus gentle classes for seniors or rehab, and options for pre and post natal women, with a group of fun and friendly instructors. The beauty of Aquarobics is that you can work at your own pace, and that the exercise is low impact, so much kinder to knees, hips, backs and ankles. Just as importantly – it’s set to music, is great fun, mood boosting, non intimidating and very social – providing wonderful benefits for both body and mind! Grab a friend and come and join us to see what all the fuss is about. But I warn you – Aquarobics is addictive! Just ask the participants who have been coming along for 5, 10 and in some cases 20 years………!

Lap swimming is the ultimate all-in-one exercise, working most muscles in the body with every stroke, increasing flexibility and muscle endurance. Muscles are strengthened and toned as a result of water resistance, core strength is improved,

and the nature of breathing whilst swimming promotes greater lung capacity.

We offer squad swimming, or Kids Swim 4 Fitness as an alternative for children and teenagers who like to swim purely for fitness, without the training schedule and competitive aspect that comes with squads. Joining a local swim club is a great way to swim to swim, race and socialise with other fans of swimming, and membership is open to both competitive and social swimmers.

Whichever option you choose, please observe basic swim safety and enjoy your water workouts this summer. See you next week.

Make your resolution to be safer, all year round

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:55:55 GMT

Make your resolution to be safer, all year round

How are your New Years Resolutions going in the lead up to Christmas and New Years Eve 2024…..? Maybe this year we could all commit to some Water Safety resolutions, and to implementing them all year round?

Supervise – Keep Watch! A lapse in adult supervision was the major risk factor in 100% of all toddler drowning deaths last year, and drowning remains the number 1 cause of accidental death in children under 5, with most deaths in this age group occurring in backyard pools. Don’t be distracted when with children around water - nothing is more important than their safety. Put the phone down and enjoy this precious time in the sun. Never assume someone else is watching.

Learn To Swim. Every water safety education programme has a common message – learn to swim – from babies to children to adults. It is a proven fact that swimming lessons save lives. The sooner your child can get safety back to the edge of the pool unaided, the better. Make this year your year to get your kids into lessons, and to learn yourself if required.

Fence the pool & shut the gate. Accidental falls into water remain the leading activity prior to drowning among children under five. Check the fence is safe and cannot be climbed, and that the pool gate is self latching. Barriers provide an important extra layer of protection but are never a substitute for constant adult supervision.

Watch your mate – don’t let your mates drink and drown. The message is simple: wear a lifejacket when on the river, avoid consumption of alcohol and drugs around water, know your limits, don’t take any risks, and never swim alone.

Respect the river. We are very lucky to live so near to the beautiful Nepean River and Penrith Beach, however the flat, still surface of an inland waterway can give a false sense of security, and currents, undertows or submerged objects can prove to be very dangerous. Royal Life Saving Australia’s Respect the River education program has decreased river

drownings by 18% since its inception in 2015, however we still have some way to go. Be aware of your location.

Swim between the flags and in patrolled areas only at the beach, and be aware of any rip currents.

Learn CPR and educate children about water safety. Would you know what to do in an emergency? If the answer is no, make it your resolution to learn CPR in 2025. Let’s all make 2025 a year to improve the swimming and water safety skills of all Australians and to see more local children reach all of the recommended swimming benchmarks, for lifelong safe and active participation in physical aquatic activities and recreation. If your children are not yet in lessons – please enrol them. If your children are learning to swim – keep them in lessons until they are truly competent.

See you in 2025!

Making the silly season safer

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 03:39:19 GMT

Making the silly season safer!

Summer is here, children are nearly finished school, and Christmas is coming! However we can’t afford to become complacent about water safety during the silly season, as Royal Life Saving Australia research shows that Australian's are twice more likely to drown on a public holiday than any other day of the year.

210 Australians drowned on public holidays over the past 15 years, and holiday makers are at highest risk, being 2.5 times more likely to drown due to lack of knowledge and familiarity with the local water ways. Alcohol is a significant contributor to public holiday drowning deaths, and it's men that are commonly susceptible to a higher risk, with the report showing

men are four times more likely to drown than women. Let’s do all we can this summer to take care of one another and minimise the risks.

These are my top ten water safety tips for a happy holiday period:

1. Swimming lessons! Teach children to swim and continue to attend lessons regularly.

It may be tempting to drop lessons as life gets busy but until children reach their age

related milestones swimming lessons should remain non-negotiable.

2. Avoid alcohol around water.

3. Check for snags and currents before entering inland waterways & rivers.

4. Know your limits and never swim alone, or when intoxicated.

5. Swim at patrolled beaches between the flags and learn how to spot rip currents.

6. Children under 5 should be kept at arms reach at all times at the beach, at the pool,

and in every other aquatic environment. Accidents happen very quicky .

7. Fence the pool, check and close all gates and make sure all gates are self-latching.

8. Be aware of other household items which represent a drowning risk, ie eskys,

inflatable pools, bathtubs, buckets, fishponds, even pet bowls. Children have

drowned in less water than a drink bottle can hold.

9. Make supervision of children the priority around all water – delegate a supervisor at all events with the adults talking turns on rotation. Never assume someone else is watching.

10. Learn how to perform CPR and use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).

Drownings remain a risk at home, where we are often most relaxed and assume nothing bad will happen, but we must remain vigilant. Make this weekend the time to check your pool fences and gates and refer to the Royal Life Saving home pool safety checklist to minimise the risks. You can find the checklist at: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/programs/homepool-safety/home-pool-safety-checklist

Wishing you a safe summer with your families.

Beach Safety Basics as Summer arrives

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 02:52:29 GMT

Beach Safety Basics as Summer arrives

Welcome to summer! The hot weather is here, and with Penrith beach reopening this weekend for the summer season, and many of us planning a coastal getaway soon, it’s time to talk beach safety!

No matter whether at a coastal or inland beach, swimming between the flags is rule number 1! The flags mark the areas that are monitored by lifeguards, ensuring that swimmers are in safe zones where potential hazards are minimised, and supervision is guaranteed.

Swimming outside the flags, or swimming at beaches without lifeguards or flags can expose you to strong currents, marine life, and unpredictable waves, making swimming in these areas more vulnerable. Look for signs of rips, as rip currents pull swimmers away from the shore, and are particularly dangerous. If caught in a rip, remain calm, float on your back, and swim parallel to the shore until you are free from the current. Always check for flag indicators

and signs explaining local safety rules before swimming, especially if unfamiliar with the area.

Be careful not to overestimate your physical capability in the water. Always swim within your abilities and never push yourself too far out into deep waters or engage in activities that are beyond your skill level. Use a buddy system when snorkelling and be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you’re unsure about the conditions or your abilities, seek advice from lifeguards or other experienced swimmers.

Supervision is crucial. The Australia ocean is a strong and powerful beast, and children of all ages and skill levels are no match for large waves and a strong current. ‘Arms reach at the beach’ is a good mantra to live by these holidays. Even in more still waters, the water depth may suddenly change or drop off, catching children off guard and unprepared.

Alcohol and water do not mix, and I’m not talking about diluting your drink of choice!

As tempting as it might be to relax with a drink at the beach, consuming alcohol can impair your judgment and reaction time. Swimming under the influence of alcohol increases the risk of accidents, so it’s best to wait until you're out of the water to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, and always have a designated sober person when around water at any time, whether at the beach or by the backyard pool.

Alcohol can also increase the risk of dehydration, which is particularly serious when you’ve also been sunburnt. To stay safe, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen with a high SPF, reapplying sunscreen every two hours and after swimming. We've all heard of the famous slip, slop, slap, and it’s scary how much damage the midday Aussie sun can do in just a

short time. Hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing, such as rash vests, are also helpful for minimising sun exposure, as is avoiding the sun during its peak hours, typically between 10am and 4pm.

With these tips in mind, we can all enjoy our coastline and inland beaches while keeping yourself and others safer!

Give the gift of swimming!

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:34:19 GMT

Give the gift of swimming lessons!

This year has certainly been challenging in terms of the continuing rise in the cost of living, making the lead up to Christmas an anxious time for many households. All of these circumstances have me questioning if we really need all the extra purchases that usually accompany this time of year, and if the type of presents we are giving need to be rethought?

For me, this Christmas needs to be a stress free event, less about multiple or large presents under the tree, and all about time spent with loved ones. It is very important this year that the gifts I exchange with family are meaningful, not whatever I could grab during my usual last minute dash to Westfields in the weekend before the big day. A gift that will not end up

discarded by new year’s day. A gift that won’t be stashed in a cupboard or in my next council collection. A gift that will make a difference and bring joy to the recipient. A gift that will promote long lasting confidence, skills or a memorable experience.

With over half of Aussie kids currently not attending swimming lessons, denying them the basic skills needed to safely experience all of the aquatic activities on offer in the Australian summertime, what could be a better gift than swimming lessons? Swimming lessons are a gift that require no storage space, promote health, physical activity and safety, are fun, and teach a skill that will last a lifetime. Alan Bentley, owner of Nepean Swim and Fitness agreed. “Many children missed out on time in the water during the pandemic, and we are still seeing the effects to this day, with less Aussie kids currently in swimming lessons than in previous years. However, the dangers of the water remain, so gifting swimming lessons for Christmas is both a thoughtful and practical gift. Adults who are unable to swim may also request swimming lessons for Christmas to help them to set and reach the goal of learning to swim in 2024”. Our gift vouchers can be used for any of our programs and are available from reception. Contact us on 4730 8900 to arrange a gift voucher or suggest a Gift Voucher to grandparents or family here or even overseas! Happy shopping!

Alternatively, our partnership with local company Prezentbox makes gift giving even easier this Christmas. We all know how quickly the cost of kids' activities can add up, especially when you're juggling swimming lessons and all their other passions. PrezentBox provides a way way to turn all those unwanted presents into experiences your child truly loves. With

PrezentBox, family and friends can easily contribute to your child’s activities, whether it's for birthdays Christmas or birthdays ,or even setting up an all-year-round activity fund. If you use the code below to set up a free Prezentbox account you will also receive $10 to spend with us at Nepean Aquatic Centre or Eva Bory’s Swim School – Merry Christmas!

https://prezentbox.com.au/?mwr=67b3837

Water Safety Myths

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:22:43 GMT

Water Safety Myths and Misconceptions

Water safety is a critical issue all year round, but with the weather now really heating up, it’s time to talk about water safety myths. Water safety misconceptions can lead to dangerous behaviours and a false sense of security, so its important to debunk these myths before summer is upon us.

Myth 1. Drowning is Loud and Obvious. Despite what we see on TV, drowning in reality is usually silent and swift. People who are struggling in the water often cannot scream for help because they are focused on trying to stay afloat. They may not have the energy to make noise, and they often struggle silently while attempting to breathe or grab onto something for support. It’s important to stay vigilant and watch for signs like a swimmer's head being low in the water, flailing arms, or a lack of forward motion, even if the person doesn’t seem to be panicking.

Myth 2. Swimmers Can’t Drown if They Can Swim. Often people believe that strong swimmers are immune to drowning, but that is far from the truth, especially if they are caught off guard by unexpected circumstances such as strong currents, fatigue, or a medical emergency. Swimming in open water, such as oceans or rivers, is particularly risky because factors like changing tides, waves, and rip currents can quickly overwhelm even skilled and experienced swimmers. In addition, dehydration, hypothermia, and exhaustion can all contribute to drowning, regardless of swimming ability.

Myth 3. If Someone is Conscious After a Near Drowning Incident, they’re Fine. Another dangerous misconception is that if a person is conscious after a near-drowning incident, they have not been harmed. However, water inhalation can cause delayed symptoms. A person may feel fine initially but may later experience symptoms of secondary drowning or dry drowning, which occurs when water enters the lungs and causes respiratory distress. These conditions can develop several hours after the incident and may lead to difficulty breathing, chest pain, or even loss of consciousness. Anyone who has inhaled water, even if they seem fine, should be monitored closely and seek medical attention.

Myth 4. Life Jackets Are Only for Non-Swimmers. While life jackets are often associated with people who cannot swim, they are just as crucial for skilled swimmers, especially in open water. Life jackets provide an additional layer of safety in case of sudden fatigue or unexpected accidents. Wearing a life jacket is particularly important in fast moving water or when boating or fishing, as accidents can happen quickly and without warning. Even strong swimmers can become disoriented or exhausted, and a life jacket can be the difference between drowning or not.

Myth 5. You Can’t Drown in Shallow Water. Not true! Even in shallow water, drowning is a real risk, especially if the person is alone. Shallow water incidents are particularly dangerous for young children or individuals with disabilities, as a slip, fall, or loss of balance in just a few inches of water can result in an inability to right oneself, leading to suffocation. By educating ourselves and others about water safety, we can work together to reduce the number of drowning incidents in our community and keep everyone safer in and around the water

Why prioritise Learn to Swim

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:19:02 GMT

Why Learn to Swim is important

As we head towards the silly season I wanted to remind parents of all the benefits of Learn To Swim, and why it is important to swim all year round alongside any other sports and activities in our busy family schedules! Learning to swim is an activity that offers numerous benefits for children beyond simply staying safe in water. From physical health to mental well-being, swimming provides a holistic approach to a child's development in a way that no other sport or activity can match.

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise that engages the entire body, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and enhancing flexibility. Swimming is low-impact, making it suitable for children of all ages and fitness levels, and regular swimming sessions can help combat childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle from an early

age.

The most obvious benefit of learning to swim is water safety. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in children of all ages, and teaching kids how to swim reduces the risk significantly. Knowing how to float, tread water, and perform basic strokes can save lives in emergency situations. Moreover, understanding water safety rules instils confidence and promotes responsible behaviour around water.

interactions, academic performance, and overall well-being! Learn to Swim lessons are often a child’s very first structured activity.

Swimming has therapeutic effects on children's emotional well-being. The soothing nature of water calms their minds and reduces stress and anxiety. Swimming releases endorphins and also provides an outlet for pent-up energy and emotions, helping children regulate their emotions more effectively. Plus, swimming lessons provide opportunities for children to

socialise and make new friends!

Swimming is a life skill that opens up a world of opportunities for children. It enables them to participate in water-based activities such as snorkelling, surfing, and kayaking. Strong swimming skills can lead to future endeavors such as lifeguarding, competitive swimming, or even careers in aquatic sports – we have lots of junior employees whose first job is with us!

See you soon at the pool!

People born outside of Australia are at risk of drowning

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:06:45 GMT

People born outside of Australia are at risk of drowning...

I was devastated this week to hear of the tragic drowning deaths of a mother and her two young children in Fairfield. Less than a half hour drive from Penrith. Far too close to home, and a shocking reminder that drowning does not discriminate.

I simply cannot imagine the sorrow the family is experiencing, and whilst the circumstances around this tragedy are unclear, news outlets have reported that Hoai Nguyen, 32, and her two children, Mitchell, seven, and Hazel, five, had been at Shearer Park at Lansvale in Fairfield when they were spotted struggling in the Georges River about 10.15am. Hoai was pulled to shore shortly afterwards, but despite the efforts of a number of bystanders and emergency services, couldn't be saved. The children’s bodies were recovered by emergency services sometime later. The investigation into how the mother and her children ended up in the water is ongoing.

A father has lost two of his three children, and a baby is without his mother and siblings. A fundraiser has been set up for the family and reads “a beloved mother and her two young children tragically drowned... leaving behind a profound void in our hearts and a father and baby who is only 1 years old”.

These are the stores behind the statistics. 323 people drowned in Australia in 2023 – 24, a 16% increase on the ten year average. 83 of these people were born overseas, representing just over a quarter of all drowning deaths in this period. In the ten year period 2013 – 23, 933 people born overseas drowned in Australia, representing 34% of all drowning deaths in this period.

Royal Life Saving Australia data looking at the countries most represented by drowning found that people born in China were most heavily represented in the data (113), followed by the UK (109), New Zealand (55), India (46), Vietnam (40), South Korea (35), Italy (29), the US (28), Germany (24) and Nepal (22).

A recent Multicultural Water Safety forum in Melbourne in response to the 25% of drowning deaths of people born overseas saw over 60 delegates from across Australia come together to address drowning among our multicultural communities. Community leaders who attended the forum made it clear that multiple solutions are needed and heard from young community role models from multicultural backgrounds who learnt to swim in Australia and are now teaching their own communities as one example of successful solutions to address this issue.

We promote learn to swim for everyone, children and adults, and it’s never too late no matter a person’s background or previous experience. Do you know someone from a multicultural background who cannot swim, or whose children are not learning to swim? Have a conversation with them! Let’s work together as a community to promote the importance of swimming skills – a conversation you instigate could save a life.

Try Aquarobics this spring

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 23:46:11 GMT

Try Aquarobics this Spring

Did winter sap your energy and challenge your best intentions…..? We have all been there!

Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways promote health and wellbeing, but running, going to the gym or group sport isn’t for everyone, particularly if you have mobility issues of any type, or are returning to exercise after a period of time away (ie, after a winter hibernation). Aquarobics is a great way to exercise – and it’s so much fun!

Water is fifteen times more resistant than air, so many people use water resistance training when injured to maintain their cardiovascular fitness with less impact and less stress on joints, bones, and muscles due to the waters buoyancy. The support provided by the water also makes it an ideal environment for post workout recovery and stretching, and provides relief for sufferers of arthritis, back pain, heart disease, obesity, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis.

Aquarobics isn’t just for seniors (as it has sometimes been perceived) – this is a myth I like to bust! Aquarobics can be a highly challenging and effective workout regardless of your age, gender or fitness level! We offer a range of classes in both shallow and deep water for all ages, plus gentle classes for seniors or rehab, and options for pre and post natal women, with a group of fun and friendly instructors.

Prefer to exercise solo? Lap swimming is the ultimate all-in-one exercise, working most muscles in the body with every stroke, increasing flexibility and muscle endurance. Muscles are strengthened and toned as a result of water resistance, core strength is improved, and the nature of breathing whilst swimming promotes greater lung capacity. Lap swimming can also be quite meditative and provide a space of calm without the distractions of the outside world.

Whichever option you choose, please observe basic swim safety and enjoy your water workouts this spring. See you next week.

Swim Story - Neve

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:31:53 GMT

We'd like to introduce you to Neve!

Neve started her swimming journey just before turning 6 months old, beginning in our Water Babies program. Living locally, mum was eager to get her into swimming lessons as Neve has a natural love for the water!

Neve's mum loved our infant program and our amazing instructor, Joanne! We take pride in our Water Babies program, which is popular with new parents as it teaches young bubs to love the water and also teaches parents about Water Safety!

Neve is now swimming with our wonderful instructor, Jenni in Squids and continues to love the water. Jenni has helped Neve become more at ease without mum in the pool and ensures Neves swimming lessons are a fun and enjoyable experience. Neve’s safety around the water is one of Neves Mums top priorities, so she is committed to Neves swimming progress.

We believe that everyone should learn to swim at any age so they can enjoy being in the water. We wish Neve the best for her swimming journey and look forward to celebrating every skill she learns along the way.

Love to Swim, Swim for Safety, Swim for Life.

Our hearts break for this family

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 11:09:38 GMT

We are devastated...

I was devastated this week to hear of the tragic drowning deaths of a mother and her two young children in Fairfield. Less than a half hour drive from Penrith. Far too close to home, and a shocking reminder that drowning does not discriminate.

I simply cannot imagine the sorrow the family is experiencing, and whilst the circumstances around this tragedy are unclear, news outlets have reported that Hoai Nguyen, 32, and her two children, Mitchell, seven, and Hazel, five, had been at Shearer Park at Lansvale in Fairfield when they were spotted struggling in the Georges River about 10.15am. Hoai was pulled to shore shortly afterwards, but despite the efforts of a number of bystanders and emergency services, couldn't be saved. The children’s bodies were recovered by emergency services sometime later. The investigation into how the mother and her children ended up in the water is ongoing.

A father has lost two of his three children, and a baby is without his mother and siblings. A fundraiser has been set up for the family and reads “a beloved mother and her two young children tragically drowned... leaving behind a profound void in our hearts and a father and baby who is only 1 years old”.

These are the stores behind the statistics. 323 people drowned in Australia in 2023 – 24, a 16% increase on the ten year average. 83 of these people were born overseas, representing just over a quarter of all drowning deaths in this period. In the ten year period 2013 – 23, 933 people born overseas drowned in Australia, representing 34% of all drowning deaths in this period.

Royal Life Saving Australia data looking at the countries most represented by drowning found that people born in China were most heavily represented in the data (113), followed by the UK (109), New Zealand (55), India (46), Vietnam (40), South Korea (35), Italy (29), the US (28), Germany (24) and Nepal (22).

A recent Multicultural Water Safety forum in Melbourne in response to the 25% of drowning deaths of people born overseas saw over 60 delegates from across Australia come together to address drowning among our multicultural communities. Community leaders who attended the forum made it clear that multiple solutions are needed and heard from young community role models from multicultural backgrounds who learnt to swim in Australia and are now teaching their own communities as one example of successful solutions to address this issue.

We promote learn to swim for everyone, children and adults, and it’s never too late no matter a person’s background or previous experience. Do you know someone from a multicultural background who cannot swim, or whose children are not learning to swim? Have a conversation with them! Let’s work together as a community to promote the importance of swimming skills – a conversation you instigate could save a life.

Why swimming is important for your baby

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 01:05:49 GMT

Why swimming is important for you baby

Your baby can’t yet walk, so why should they learn to swim? For safety first and foremost. This year’s Royal Life Saving Australia National Drowning report showed a 25% decrease in drownings of children aged 0-4 on the 10 year average, which is encouraging, however we still have work to do. One of the best things a parent can do to keep their child safer around water is to ensure they start Learn to Swim classes as soon as possible, especially with summer fast approaching, but were you aware of all of the other benefits of swimming lessons for babies?

We often have less time that we would like with our kids (it is an unfortunate effect of being so busy) but swimming provides quality bonding time. Time in the pool is one of the few times when your child has your undivided attention for the duration, so make the most of it!

Swimming can also improve a baby’s sleeping pattern. While I’m not making any promises that swimming will make baby sleep through the night every night…….. I can say that the extra exercise did make my notorious night owl babies sleepier! Additionally, swimming can improve a baby’s appetite, and in turn a full belly can further promote sleep……. win win! Swim time helps promote important muscle development and control in babies at a young age. Little ones will need to develop the muscles needed to hold their heads up, move their arms and legs, and work their core in coordination with the rest of their body. As a result, swimming helps to improve coordination and balance. It’s not easy learning to move those little arms and legs together, and even small, coordinated movements represent big leaps in your baby’s development.

Being in the water engages your baby’s body in a completely unique way, creating billions of new neurons as your baby kicks, glides, and smacks at the water. Bilateral cross-patterning movements, which use both sides of the body to carry out an action, help your baby’s brain grow. This facilitates communication, feedback, and modulation from one side of the brain to another. Down the road, this may improve reading skills, language development, academic learning and spatial awareness, as demonstrated by a recent four-year study of more than 7,000 children by Griffith University which suggested that children who swim have advances in physical and mental development when compared to their peers who don’t swim.

Don’t forget, you can get your baby prepared for swimming before you go to the pool, by using bath time at home to get your baby used to the feeling of being immersed in water and the splashing of the water on and over their faces and heads. Swim Australia recommends starting lessons from 6 months of age. Don’t delay – just get your baby into the water!

Swimming and water safety

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 03:45:21 GMT

Swimming an Water Safety

It’s great to be back – and with a bang! The sun is shining, and the mighty Panthers are heading into another Grand Final this weekend – what more can we wish for………?

Well………… this Spring / Summer I am wishing for a community focus on water safety to prevent any tragedies from occurring in our area this season. For that to happen I believe we can learn from our sporting heroes and take a leaf out of the Panthers playbook by focusing on consistency, persistence, determination and working together to achieve our goals!

Learning to swim is a marathon, not a sprint. Whatever your age or stage of development, consistently attending your swimming lessons every week is the key to success, regardless of whatever else is happening in your world. Of course, we understand that sometimes life happens – which is why we have an extremely flexible make up lesson policy, with no limit on the amount of makeup lessons allowed per year – however coming to the same lesson every week, with the same instructor, at the same centre will really set your child up for success, reinforcing the skills they are learning in a familiar environment. Consistency is key.

Persistence is equally important. I am sometimes asked “How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?” The answer is actually in the question and there is no one size fits all answer – your child is unique, and all children, indeed all people, learn at their own pace, with some skills taking longer than others to master and confidently execute. Please do not become frustrated or give up if a particular stroke is challenging to you or your child, because with persistence and determination, you will definitely get there - just as the Panthers will this weekend for the four-peat…….! We can also look to the results our Australian Olympic swim team achieved this year in Paris to inspire and reinforce the results of persistent and determined training.

As a community, there are so many ways we can work together to achieve the goal of water safety. Please check your fences and gates, always supervise your children when swimming or near any body of water and encourage other adults to do the same. If you can’t swim yourself and would not be able to help your child if in trouble – come and learn to swim in our adult classes, it’s never too late. Take advantage of our free community water safety roadshow and encourage your child’s school or daycare centre to reach out to us to book an educational visit. Looking for work? Apply to train with us as a Swimming Teacher.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I believe it takes a community to keep children safer around water. Swim skills save lives. What are you going to do this Spring / Summer to contribute to this cause?

Did you know it is dangerous for children to hold their breath under water for extended times?

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 18:42:59 GMT

Teach your kids to always practice water safety

Children are naturally competitive. They like to work out who is the best swimmer, who can do the most somersaults underwater, or who can swim the furthest distance underwater while holding their breath. Which I also did as a child. How were we to know then that it could be so dangerous? But it has since been proven that any underwater breath holding contests can have tragic consequences, so we must educate our children and discuss why they should never play this games like these.
Shallow Water Blackout (SWB), otherwise known as Hypoxic Blackout, can occur when people hold their breath underwater, or are practising underwater breath holding drills whilst swimming training. SWB happens without any warning of its onset – the swimmer simply loses consciousness due to a severe lack of oxygen to the brain, and drowns.
Swimming Australia advise that we should never swim alone, never ignore the urge to breath, never hyperventilate prior to swimming, and never play breath holding games and challenges, and that Hypoxic training should only be performed in competitive swimming training under strict guidelines and supervision. Other lesser known dangers are Dry and Secondary Drowning. As parents we are usually on high alert supervising when our children are in or near water, but completely relax once they are finished swimming for the day, but unfortunately the danger is not always over. Dry drowning and secondary drowning occur after a child has left the water as a result of having taken water into their lungs.
With dry drowning, water doesn’t reach the lungs, but the breathing in of water causes your child’s vocal chords to spasm and close up, shutting off their airways and making it hard to breathe. Symptoms of dry drowning usually happen straight after any incident in the water.
In secondary drowning (also called delayed drowning) the child’s airways open up, letting water into his lungs, but not enough to disable breathing right away. Instead, the water sits there and inhibits the lungs’ ability to oxygenate blood, causing more and more trouble breathing over the course of several hours. Symptoms of secondary drowning generally start within 1-24 hours of the incident.
Whilst both events are very scary, it is important to remember that they are also rare, making up only 1% – 2% of all drowning incidents. The key is to always practice good water safety, to remain vigilant after your child leaves the water, and know the signs of dry and secondary drowning. The symptoms of both conditions include coughing, chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting, blue lips or pale skin and feeling extremely
tired. Your child may also display changes in behaviour such as such as irritability or a drop in energy levels, which could mean the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen.
If your child has any symptoms of dry drowning and secondary drowning after being in water, please seek medical help right away at your local hospitals emergency department.

How long does it take for a child to Learn to Swim?

julie@nepeanswim.com.au (Julie Sheldrake) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:08:08 GMT

How long does it take?

Learning to swim is a long term, ongoing process. Attending swimming lessons makes up an important part of a child’s weekly routine throughout their infant, preschool and early school years. Consistency is the key to the development and maintenance of good aquatic skills. Regular lessons all year round allow the child to practise the skills appropriate to their developmental stage and learn at their own pace. It is normal for the child to go through periods of plateau, regression and developmental leaps throughout the process, but be assured that over time constant progress is being made, building towards the attainment of the lifelong skill of proficient swimming.
A general guide to a child being a capable swimmer is when they are able to swim 400 metres with good technique, without stopping, and without becoming exhausted. This level of skill may take children individual amounts of time to reach, but it establishes a strong swimming foundation. These swimming skills should then be retained in children over 7 years of age, whereas younger children need consistent reinforcement to maintain their competency. There are then a range of aquatic sports options open to the swimmer to be enjoyed for fun, safety, health and fitness.
It is important to remember that swimming is not just another option on the list of sports and activities available to children – it is an invaluable life saving skill.

You can speed up your childs progression with multiple lessons a week. This is a great option to fast track your child’s swimming skills, and also come with great discounts.

When your child stops swimming, it takes them longer. The process should be ongoing, especially through winter. Swimming lessons are not a seasonal activity, and should be maintained all year round. Remember, our pools are heated both summer and winter. Swimming lessons play a crucial part in building layers of protection near water for young children, and the skills and behaviours taught in lessons need to be reinforced all year round. Again, consistency is key. The risks posed by drowning do not go away in winter, neither should the lessons.
Additionally, children under 5 are just beginning to develop muscle memory, and need constant reinforcement to retain skills previously learnt, so a break in lessons often results in a loss of skills. Don’t let all the time and money spent on lessons previous to the cooler months go to waste.
By swimming all year round children remain confident in the water, and remember, regular exercise helps to keep the body healthy and fight off winter illnesses. Be sure to remove wet clothing, towel dry and cover wet hair, and get warm and dry before leaving the swim centre.

Swim all year round

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:50:07 GMT

Swim all year round!

You can speed up your childs progression with multiple lessons a week. This is a great option to fast track your child’s swimming skills, and also come with great discounts.