Thousands of under-fives take to the water as part of Learn2Swim Week

Poolwerx has recorded its most successful Learn2Swim Week to date, with 355 swim schools across the country participating to offer free swimming lessons for children under five during the week-long event.

Now in its fourth year, the water safety campaign hit home with parents of under-fives, with thousands of youngsters learning water safety basics that could one day save their lives.

Poolwerx Chief Executive, John O’Brien advised that this year, Learn2Swim Week had exceeded the franchise’s expectations, receiving widespread media attention and over 4000 website hits from parents keen to sign up their under-fives.

O’Brien stated “each year we continue to grow awareness of the campaign among parents of under-fives about the importance of getting kids into the water early to teach them water familiarisation and basic safety skills

“Ultimately, our goal is to have zero drownings in the under-five age group.”

O’Brien explained that Poolwerx is extremely proud to have received the Franchise Council of Australia’s (FCA) national Franchisor Social Responsibility Award for its commitment to water safety through its annual Learn2Swim Week and April Pools Day water safety campaigns.

He added “these campaigns are now long-term initiatives that are embedded within the business and are part of the Poolwerx culture of helping people have fun in the sun.

“Our Franchise Partners continue to be active supporters of the campaigns in their local communities.”

Learn2Swim Ambassador and Kids Alive - Do The Five program founder, Laurie Lawrence, said he was heartened to see the Learn2Swim Week campaign grow each year.

Lawrence stated “this year, we’ve had our most successful campaign and the water safety message is getting across to parents of young children.

“Last year we had 60% of parents involved in the campaign go on to enroll their under-fives in ongoing swimming lessons and we look set to exceed that this year.”

The initiative is supported by all the major industry associations AUSTSWIM, the Australian Swim Schools Association, the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association and SWIM Australia.

Image: Laurie Lawrence with young swimmers during Learn2Swim Week.