Laurie Lawrence introduces Olympian’s child to swimming lessons in Adelaide

Commonwealth and Olympic Games breaststroke swimmer Sally Hunter has introduced her six-month old baby boy Theo to swimming lessons at the South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre (SAALC) while also promoting water safety alongside legendary coach Laurie Lawrence.

At an event on Friday, dual Olympian Hunter and baby Theo joined Lawrence and SAALC ambassador Brenton Ragless to emphasise the importance of water safety for all children, spreading Lawrence's message: ‘Kids alive do the Five’.         

Promiting the importance of swimming lessons and water safety takes account account of Royal Life Saving Society - Australia statistics that showed, in the 15 years between 1st July 2002 and 30th June 2017, South Australia experienced the drowning death of 25 children under the age of four years.

In addition, hundreds more children were left with lifelong disabilities following non-fatal drowning accidents.

Commenting on baby Theo’s swimming lessons, Hunter advised “there are so many benefits that come from learning to swim, I think parents should start swimming lessons with their baby early for fun, fitness, health and safety.”

Lawrence added “education is the key in drowning prevention and swimming lessons can save lives.”

He later went on to talk with SAALC’s SASI/Marion Swimming Team, sharing his extensive experience with the young elite swimmers.

His story of working with Olympic swimmers Jon Sieben, Duncan Armstrong, Stephen Holland, Tracey Wickham and Justin Lemberg, helping them master the Olympic Games and the surf were described by one member of the squad as “inspirational”.

Oriented to domestic pools, the five steps of Lawrence’s Kids Alive inititiave are: 1. Fence the pool; 2. Shut the gate; 3. Teach your kids to swim - it’s great; 4. Supervise - watch your mate; and 5. Learn how to resuscitate.

Images: Sally Hunter and baby Theo join  Laurie Lawrence in the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre pool (top); the trio with SAALC ambassador Brenton Ragless and the facility's mascot (middle) and Lawrence encouraging teenage swimmers at the Centre (below). 

2nd May 2018 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITS $36.9 MILLION TO WATER SAFETY INITIATIVES

7th March 2018 - SWIMS 4 ALL INITIATIVE LOOKS TO GET MORE AUSTRALIANS SWIMMING 

11th August 2017 - WATER SAFETY EDUCATION MESSAGE SECURES ROYAL LIFE SAVING AWARD FOR MILNE BAY AQUATIC CENTRE 

10th August 2017 - LAURIE LAWRENCE AND JULIE ZANCANARO TO BE INDUCTED INTO INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME

2nd August 2017 - BELGRAVIA LEISURE’S ACCESS AND INCLUSION PROGRAM WINS NATIONAL INNOVATION AWARD 

29th June 2017 - OLYMPIC GREAT LAUNCHES SWIMMING SQUAD PROGRAM AT NEW AUBURN AQUATIC CENTRE 

7th September 2014 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BACKS LAURIE LAWRENCE’S ANTI-DROWNING INITIATIVE

4th November 2013 - PARENTS VALUE SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY LESSONS ABOVE OTHER OUT-OF-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

31st August 2012 - AQUALOGAN AND LAWRIE LAWRENCE PARTNER TO HELP PREVENT CHILD DROWNING

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