Felton Industries
Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…
read moreIn partnership with Swimming Australia, leading learn to swim provider Belgravia Leisure has announced that in the past two years, there has been a 26% uplift in their GOswim learn to swim classes
While the enrolments demonstrate an appetite from parents and carers for their children to possess water safety skills, Belgravia Leisure does not that providing these classes has come with challenges, particularly due to the national shortage of swimming teachers across the industry.
It notes that, with demand for learn to swim classes far outweighing supply, many learn to swim programs have waitlists and/or limited availability.
The partnership between Belgravia Leisure and Swimming Australia to deliver GOswim to children and adults sees more that 62,000 learn to swim lessons delivered each week across every state and territory in Australia - more than three million lessons per year.
Pleased that parents are prioritising swimming lessons and also cognisant that there are still children who don’t have the skills to survive in water, Kirk Marks, General Manager of GOswim Australia, explains “off the back of covid, many parents realised that their kid’s swimming and water safety skills were not up to scratch, so there’s definitely been a renewed interest in getting them back in the water.”
“But with only 35% of Aussie children under 14 doing swimming lessons and ten children under 14 drowning over summer, there are fears that it's still nowhere near enough.
“We are however, working hard with our providers and Swimming Australia to continue to deliver the GOswim program and raise awareness of the importance of water safety and swimming lessons, which in my opinion are non-negotiable if you live in Australia - it is not a hobby, but an essential life skill.
“Even if you have to be patient whilst on a waiting list, it’s important to enrol your kids to ensure they have the skills to survive in various bodies of water that they find themselves in.
Swimming Australia Executive General Manager of Commercial, Events and Marketing Jodie Hawkins said the increase in participation was pleasing to see but drowning rates remain a concern.
Hawkins noted “it is incredibly positive to see such an increase in the number of people joining the GOswim program.
“Sadly, there were 99 drownings and many near-drowning incidents across the summer and this is a reminder that learning to swim is an important life skill. We are proud to partner with Belgravia Leisure to deliver this best-in--class program - and to help keep Australians safe.
“We encourage all Australians, of all ages, to learn to swim and encourage you to visit the GOswim website to find a local centre.”
The GOswim learn to swim and water safety program has recently been updated with new lesson plans, a contemporary curriculum and some exciting new characters to bring the lessons to life.
Encouraging students of all ages and abilities to learn swimming and water safety skills through experiential and activity-based learning, the new GOswim program empowers students to think, discuss and make informed decisions whilst having fun in and around water.
Click here for more information or to become a GOswim teacher.
Images courtesy of GOswim Australia.
2nd May 2024 - MidCoast Council announces changes to pool operations with Belgravia Leisure to run two facilities
2nd May 2024 - Swim Coaches and Teachers unveils revolution in swim teacher qualifications
26th April 2024 - Remote Wadeye Pool reopens under YMCA management
30th April 2024 - City of Whittlesea appoints Belgravia Leisure to manage major aquatic and recreation facilities
4th April 2024 - Sunshine Coast Council opens 20-metre learn-to-swim school at Kawana Aquatic Centre
2nd April 2024 - Community embraces Belgravia Leisure’s ‘Move It Canberra’ challenge
15th March 2024 - Rising demand for swimming lessons and rehabilitation therapy at Goulburn Aquatic and Leisure Centre
12th March 2024 - Belgravia Leisure program empowers youth while fostering social inclusion
27th February 2024 - Kiama Leisure Centre improves process for swimming lesson enrolments and looks to expand instructor team
8th February 2024 - Aquatic and recreation industry workforce should take advantage of free mental health elearning program
2nd February 2024 - Belgravia Leisure ACT Venues receive Royal Life Saving 5-Star Accreditation
19th December 2023 - Life Saving Victoria to deliver updated Swim Teacher Training
23rd November 2023 - Belgravia Group expands presence in children’s activity market with GymbaROO acquisition
20th November 2023 - Swimming Australia and Belgravia Leisure renew water safety lessons program
2nd October 2023 - Kids Alive urge families to get children into swimming lessons
5th September 2023 - Royal Life Saving highlights swim teacher and lifeguard shortages present opportunities for job seekers this summer
26th July 2023 - Allianz Australia backs AUSTSWIM and Masters Swimming Australia in launching free-to-learn program for adults
25th July 2023 - AUSTSWIM marks World Drowning Prevention Day with call for more Australians to become swim teachers
10th July 2023 - Belgravia Leisure urges parents to prioritise childrens’ swimming lessons
6th July 2023 - Belgravia Leisure looks to hire up to 1,500 lifeguards and swim teachers ahead of summer
14th April 2023 - Belgravia Leisure Learn to Swim Program engages Liverpool’s Indigenous Youth
1st March 2023 - BK’s Learn to Swim brand expands with first Victorian location in south-east Melbourne
17th September 2022 - Rising drowning toll prompts AUSTSWIM to emphasise importance of educating new swimming teachers
12th September 2022 - VICSWIM receives $200,000 funding to help train and upskill swimming teachers
11th December 2016 - Union launched for swimming teachers and lifeguards
4th November 2013 - Parents value swimming and water safety lessons above other out-of-school activities
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…
read moreHeadquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read moreDigonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…
read moreTim Batt Water Solutions are at the very forefront of the commercial aquatic business in Australia, with over 30 years specific experience supplying and installing chemical control and dosing…
read moreThe P.A. People is a specialist integrator and contractor in sound reinforcement, audio visual systems, performance lighting and production communications. Over its almost 50 year history the company…
read moreQuayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…
read moreTechnogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia and Australia, Technogym exports its…
read morePROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge, business support…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!