Royal Life Saving shares fears over childrens lack of swimming skills

Royal Life Saving Society - Australia is encouraging parents to keep their children active during the colder months by enrolling them in Swim and Survive swimming lessons.

With Royal Life Saving’s research showing that almost half of 12 year olds can’t swim continuously for 50 metres or float for 2 minutes in deep water - a basic swimming and water safety benchmark - the organisation, the organisation is emphasising that winter swimming lessons are a great way for children to retain and build upon skills learned during the summer, and establishing a year-round swimming routine promotes lifelong healthy habits.

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr says that contrary to popular belief, swimming during the colder months offers numerous benefits that contribute to children's fitness, safety and overall well-being, advising “winter swimming lessons are an excellent way for children to stay active and healthy throughout the colder months. Not only does it help maintain their swimming skills, but it also provides a fantastic opportunity for social interaction and building confidence in the water.

"Swimming is not just great for physical fitness; it also boosts mood, reduces anxiety, and enhances coordination and motor skills. It's an inclusive activity that children of all ages and abilities can enjoy, helping them achieve developmental milestones.”

Royal Life Saving offers practical tips for parents and swim teachers to ensure children remain warm and comfortable during winter swimming lessons:

• Dress warmly before and after lessons, including a beanie and proper footwear.

• Avoid water play before lessons to keep children warm and focused.

• Engage in warm-up stretches to increase blood flow and reduce injury risk.

• Use snug-fitting rash vests and swim caps for extra warmth, without restricting movement.

• Take a hot shower immediately after lessons to warm up quickly.

• Maintain activity during lessons with short, dynamic drills.

• Incorporate out-of-water training on particularly cold days to focus on water safety skills.

Click here for more information on Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive program.