Blacktown City Council’s Swim Sense program empowers adults in the water

Aiming to play a role in reducing drownings, Blacktown City Council Key Venues has committed itself to lift the swimming competence level of adults in the community with its Swim Sense program.

Launched in January, the inaugural program received an enthusiastic response from the Blacktown City community, with 90 adults taking part.

The program was run at Council’s five aquatic and recreation centres and saw an even mix of males and females taking part, with a high proportion of participants from a multicultural background.

Noting that the free program covers pool safety, beach safety, basic ‘learn to swim’ and overall water confidence, Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale advised “learning to swim and being safe and confident in the water is a very important life skill.

“Blacktown City Council’s Key Venues section has a strong history of implementing drowning prevention campaigns to ensure a safe and dynamic environment is offered at our award-winning facilities.

“Swim Sense is a great initiative that provides adult residents with the knowledge they need to begin their learn-to-swim journey.

“Our hope is that they will continue learning to swim, through our Aqua Learn to Swim program.”

The Swim Sense program equips participants with vital knowledge as well as practical experience in the water.

“The drowning statistics are alarming - but they also recognise where there is a need for more swim education.

“It’s very important that people of all ages and backgrounds learn to be safe and confident swimmers so we can work towards reducing the number of drownings.

“These skills are fundamental whether at the local pool, the beach, rivers or lakes. The safety and well-being of our community is our number one priority.”

The latest Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report showed that almost 250 people drowned in Australian waterways in the 12 months to June 2020.

For more information go to www.aqualearntoswim.com.au

Image courtesy of Blacktown City Council Key Venues.