AusLeisure

With many families across Australia impacted by the rising cost of living, and families facing the prospect of having to decide between childrens’ activities, Belgravia Leisure is emphasising the vital role swimming lessons play in familiarising the swimmer with the water, and for children especially, is crucial in keeping them safe.

Mindful that childrens’ extracurricular activities can often get put on hold or cancelled when families are looking for ways to cut spending, Belgravia Aquatic Services Manager, Sarah Podesta is urging parents to prioritise swimming lessons.

She explains “we need to change our outlook on swimming and water safety lessons from being an optional activity to one that is an essential life skill.”

Belgravia Leisure emphasises that it is especially important to keep up swimming lessons over winter so children are not losing their skills and that families and the community doesn’t get complacent around the water.

Stating that having strong swimming skills is one way to reduce the risks of drowning, Podesta advised “we are hearing more and more from parents who are taking their kids out of lessons for financial reasons, and whilst we understand that this is necessary for some, we are urging parents, wherever possible, to make the right choice and keep their little ones in swimming and water safety lessons - you never know, it could one day save their life.”

Concerned that when children drop their lessons, they need to play catch-up later in the year - another factor to consider - Podesta adds “they will therefore be less likely to achieve the National Benchmarks in Swimming and Water Safety.

“Keeping up those lessons will mean they will be more confident to enjoy all of Australia’s waterways this summer and have the best chance of being safe all year round.”

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