Swimming lessons are as important for adults as they are for children
How long is 20 seconds? It is long enough to go grab a forgotten towel during bath time or even check your phone for that email you have been waiting on. Unfortunately, it is also long enough for a toddler to drown. Drowning does not take much water and it does not make a sound. Water recreation is an enjoyable part of the Australian culture, however it is easy for things to turn into a very dangerous situation.
Royal Life Saving Society’s 2015 National Drowning report states that drowning of children under the age of 5 years has increased by 30%. Last year, 26 children in this age group lost their lives to something that could have been prevented. Water safety knowledge for parents and children as well as acquisition of survival and lifesaving skills is simply essential.
The good news is that it is never too late to learn to swim. Many parents wonder when is the best age to start learning and quite simply, the answer is right now. Swimming lessons are a long-term investment that should be attended consistently all year round. A good learn to swim program will include progressive steps to establish swimming technique in all four strokes as well as a focus on developing survival skills that children can use in an emergency situation.
Children are not the only ones at risk. Adults who have never learnt to swim are much more common than you think. Many lives lost in water are those of adults consuming alcohol around water, getting caught in currents or parents attempting to rescue their children. Unfortunately the stigma around people taking swimming lessons for the first time in their adult years prevents them from learning even the most basic safety and survival skills. This leads to many people getting into situations beyond their capabilities. There is nothing embarrassing about gaining a new skill that will save your life and provide enjoyment in our Australian waterways. Many adults have never had the opportunity to learn to swim due to a variety of reasons. That is not the case in Australia with easy access to many swim schools offering adult only programs under qualified instructors.
To alleviate anxiety around this process, one should look at private swim schools which offer a calm and controlled environment, away from the crowds of public swimming. Also, one should look for supportive, trustworthy and passionate instructors. Most of all, know that you are not alone and that no one is judging you for taking the time to invest in yourself to be a responsible swimmer.
Ultimately people of all ages, abilities and life experiences should have the right to learn to swim as swimming is not an extracurricular activity but rather a skill for life! So why wait?
Call 03 9315 8680 or email inquiries@paddlesswimschool.com.au for classes at Paddles Swim School.
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