SwimSAFER Week research reveals more than half of Australian children not learning to swim

Research conducted as part of the annual SwimSAFER Week has revealed that 54% of Australian children are not learning to swim, with 27% forced out of lessons due to COVID restrictions and 28% unable to find class availability at their local swim school.

With SwimSAFER Week being held from 15th to 19th November, the SwimSAFER Report, commissioned by Swim Australia, discovered only 37% of parents planned to enrol their child in official lessons within the next six months, with 29% planning to teach their child themselves.

Concerned that the circumstances of the past two years will have a long-term effect on the swimming ability of children in Australia, Swim Australia Chief Executive, Brendon Ward explained “COVID has impacted the swimming industry immensely with lessons halted for long periods and swimming teachers leaving the industry because of shutdowns, resulting in swim schools unable to meet demand.

“Our study shows 16% of children have not attended swimming lessons for over a year and another 25% have been out of the pool between 6-12 months. This is a very dangerous scenario as it means children’s abilities in the water will have regressed. There will be children who may never learn how to swim properly.”

Confirming a 20% increase in total drownings after the first lockdown*, Ward noted “the situation is very serious, and we shudder to think what might happen this summer given so many children have not been learning to swim. Parents confirm our fears with 51% not confident their child could help themselves in a water emergency.”

“Swimming might be our most popular sport, but it may also be in jeopardy with 44% of Australians acknowledging interruptions to swimming lessons over the last two years will impact future professional and Olympic swimming success.

“The impact of children not learning to swim has far reaching consequences, not only for their safety but for the longevity of the sport and how many future swim heroes we will produce. Some children may never learn to swim. There is a lot at stake if we don’t get children back learning to swim as soon as possible.”

Aiming to reduce the barriers for parents by generating funds to help families afford swimming lessons next year, Swim Australia has launched the Swim IT Forward initiative, with Ward explaining “by donating one swimming lesson or just $20, people can potentially save a life by helping a child get back in the water and find their confidence.”

To encourage children’s love of the water and promote the value of swimming lessons, Hasbro a global play and entertainment company, is collaborating with Swim Australia to support SwimSAFER week with a campaign featuring the heroes from the popular pre-school brand PJ MASKS.

The campaign aims to inspire young children and parents on the importance of swim safety along with heroes Catboy, Owlette and Gekko as they help children ‘power up’ their swimming.

The PJ MASKS campaign includes creating co-branded content with campaign ambassadors; Olympic Gold Medallist Leisel Jones, Olympian Alex Graham and Paralympian Brenden Hall.

There are over 500 swim schools celebrating SwimSAFER Week across Australia with a range of events.

People can share the gift of a swimming lesson for ‘Swim IT Forward’ initiative by donating at www.swimsafer.org.au.

* Royal Lifesaving Drowning Report 2020/21 https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/research-and-policy/drowning-research/national-drowning-reports/Explore-the-national-drowning-report-2021