Post lockdown swimming lesson campaign launched by the Y Victoria

With the closure of swimming pools and sports facilities during the pandemic having drastically limited access to swimming lessons, the Y Victoria has launched 'Destination Summer', a water safety awareness campaign that focuses on the importance of building swim skills in preparation for summer and after COVID lockdowns.

Started on 1st November, the campaign aims to address the growing concern about the long-term effects shown by increased drowning numbers in 2020 by enabling Victorian families to get their children back into swimming lessons as quickly as possible.

Introducing the campaign, Erica Molina, YMCA Victoria’s Marketing Business Partner for Recreation, explained “we created an emotive campaign because this summer may look a little different than previous years as we emerge from rolling lockdowns, so we are mindful of this through our language and imagery.”

The swimming lesson campaign reminds parents of the risks involved in every type of aquatic environment and how swimming lessons help children make the right choices to be safer in and around the water. Y Victoria in partnership with local government will be sharing digital and print messages with their communities about keeping kids safe this summer.

Alexandra Ash, YMCA Victoria’s Executive General Manager Recreation, added “families may choose to take a trip up the coast, spend a week at a lakeside township or just visit their local pool every day. Wherever families are spending their summer, children need swimming lessons to stay safe and to make the most out of everything the warmer weather offers.

“It is not just swimming lessons. It’s about safety around bodies of water, lakes, rivers and even the bath. Let’s hope swimming lessons are one of the first foundational life skills to return to the community.”

The campaign aims to highlight that enrolling children in swimming lessons will enable them to build the essential skills they need, not just for the pool but for wherever summer takes them.