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A new report has revealed that large numbers of Australia children are missing out on learn to swim lessons entirely, with the problem compounded by the pandemic, inflation and worker shortages.

The Towards a water-loving nation free from drowning: The role of learn to swim report, commissioned by Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, shows that many people in Australia fail to achieve the minimum swimming and water safety benchmarks despite participating in lessons.

The report includes recommendations to maximise the potential of learn to swim and improve our nation's swimming and water safety skills, which will assist in avoiding generational risks of drowning.

Noting that the report confirms existing fears of children missing out on swimming and water safety and the ongoing consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term drowning risk, Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr declared “avoiding any generational impacts of COVID on swimming skills and getting all children back to swimming and water safety lessons post pandemic should be our number one priority.

“Aside from the increased drowning risk, children who can’t swim risk becoming teenagers and adults who miss out swimming for fun, fitness and health.

“Royal Life Saving is most concerned about any 7-12 year who likely had lessons cancelled, and hasn’t returned. We urge parents to prioritise swimming first, over any other out-of-school activity.

“The swimming and water safety ecosystem in Australia can be complex, spread across three tiers of government, organisations, schools and local businesses. The PwC report provides some great insights into the problems, and potential solutions we could all advance together.”

In addition, the report confirms:
• An estimated 40% of children leave primary school unable to swim the length of an Olympic swimming pool
• 23% of Australian adults report weak or no swimming ability
• Participation in swimming lessons reduces significantly after age seven
• The most vulnerable are least likely to access lessons
• Barriers include cultural, financial and language difficulties
• New cost of living pressures are compounding existing barriers

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the problem:
• Pools closed
• Lessons missed
• Swim teacher shortages
• Long wait lists

This all means that without deliberate action, it's likely that will be a generational impact on:
• The nation's swimming ability
• Long term drowning risk
• Physical activity
• Sporting participation and success
• Tourism

The report identifies three overarching principles to strengthen learn to swim in Australia:
• Universal and equitable access to lessons
• Supporting and encouraging everyone in Australia to learn to swim, no matter their circumstance, including regional areas and remote Aboriginal communities
• Ensuring an outcomes- focused approach in line with the National Swimming and Water Safety benchmarks

Click here to view the report. 

For more information visit the Royal Life Saving website www.royallifesaving.com.au

Image: Microgen/Adobe Stock.

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