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!

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!

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!

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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!

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………. 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. 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!) 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! 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.

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. 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 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. 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. 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 .

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.

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