JUMP! Swim Schools encouraged by rise in Winter enrolments

While winter enrolment numbers tend to dip, JUMP! Swim Schools have reported that for 2022, enrolment numbers for their national swim school network are higher at the end of June than they were at the end of January – suggesting that water safety concerns are being heard by parents across the country.

The increase is a positive sign that children are returning to lessons after lockdowns and not letting winter temperatures deter the building of important, life-saving water skills.

JUMP! Swim Schools Chief Executive Mark Collins advises that JUMP! Swim Schools’ average number of enrolments per site is up 3% at the end of the first month of winter (June 2022), compared to the end of the first month of summer (January 2022).

Collins enthused “It’s great to see that most swim schools are maintaining enrolments through winter, with many even seeing growth.

“Marsden Park for example has seen a 51% increase in June compared to January. Meanwhile, Fyshwick in the ACT is up 27% and Craigieburn in Victoria is up 11%.

“After two years of disruptions to lessons, we’ve been sharing our concerns, along with industry bodies like Royal Life Saving Australia, regarding summer 2023 and the danger that exists if children don’t get back to lessons or wait until next summer to return to the pool.

“It’s really promising to see these enrolment figures because it shows parents share our concerns and are getting their children back to lessons and keeping kids swimming through winter so they can head into this summer as strong and capable swimmers.”

Water safety knowledge is also critical and JUMP! Swim School will run their next Water Safety Week nationally in August to teach children key swim safety principles, including jumping into the pool fully clothed.

Collins added “Swim safety should regularly feature as part of all swimming programs to remind kids of the critical skills and what to do if they do find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation in the water.”

For more information, please visit www.jumpswimschools.com.au or www.weswim.com.au.