AusLeisure

With 20% of adult Australians identified as having ‘missed the boat’ by not learning to swim during childhood, AUSTSWIM and Masters Swimming Australia have secured the backing of insurer Allianz to launch the Allianz Swim Club, a free, learn-to-swim program designed for adults.

Aiming to give Australians who can’t swim the ability to be more confident in the water in time for summer, the first eight week Allianz Swim Club program will operate across 15 pools in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia from 9th October.

Commenting on the initiative, AUSTSWIM Chief Executive, Brad Low stated “teaching adults to swim is very different from teaching children. Adults are very aware of their fears and limitations, and this can be prohibitive for them in the learn-to-swim environment.

“They need an understanding and empathetic teacher who is sensitive to their needs. The AUSTSWIM teachers who are part of Allianz Swim Club have been trained in these areas and are well equipped to teach adult non-swimmers.”

Sarah Pisterman, General Manager at Masters Swimming Australia, added “Allianz Swim Club is a modern, inclusive, open and inviting swim club that rethinks the way we teach adults to swim. It is encouraging, fun, empathetic and removes all elements of judgement. It is a supportive environment specifically designed to address the barriers outlined in Allianz’s research.”

New research undertaken for Allianz Australia has revealed that while 93% of Australians agree that swimming is an integral part of Australian life, almost 60% of adults either can’t swim or want to be more confident in the water.

Build on previous findings that one in four Australians can’t swim or are weak swimmers, Allianz’s research found that not having learnt to swim as a child, has had a huge impact on their lives.

It also revealed that nearly 30% of Australians with immigrant parents also didn’t learn to swim as a child.

Only 5% of those who didn’t learn as a child feel confident in the water today, with the majority (62%) who ‘missed the boat’ feeling anxious, embarrassed, or afraid of the thought of being in a pool or open water.

In terms of what stops those who ‘missed the boat’ from swimming, 55% fear drowning, 44% fear big waves and 33% fear putting their head under the water. Interestingly, 41% of all Australians say their fear of sharks stops them from swimming.

The impact of wet weather and the pandemic has also compounded this problem, with Allianz’s research showing that one in five Australian adults feel their confidence in the water has fallen over the last few years.

To offer all Australians the best chance to enjoy all the benefits that swimming brings, Allianz Australia has partnered with AUSTSWIM and Masters Swimming Australia to create a unique and free learn to swim program that is not just about lessons, but about community and belonging.

Olympic champion and Allianz Swim Club ambassador, Cate Campbell noted “I moved to Australia when I was nine years old and joined my local swim club to meet people and make friends. And it’s the community aspect of Allianz Swim Club that really resonates with me.

“Not only will the program prevent drownings and help hundreds of adults feel confident in the water, but it will provide an opportunity to get more involved in their local community. I’m excited that the participants will get to discover the joys of swimming - a sport which has brought so much joy to my life.”

Australians who can’t swim can register for the program at www.allianz.com.au/swim

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