VICSWIM Summer Kidz celebrates another successful season

The VICSWIM Summer Kidz program has again exceeded expectations with enrolment numbers reaching over 7,200 children across the three weeks of intensive aquatic education.

This represents a rise of almost 50% on 2012's numbers.

At a time when learning to swim has been a hot topic, with the Victorian opposition calling for Government to subsidise school swimming lessons and an increase in the rate of child drownings, VICSWIM Summer Kidz celebrated its successful summer at the Ivanhoe Aquatic and Fitness Centre yesterday (Friday 8th February).

Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty joined Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Chief Executive Ian Swan to mark the boost in participation numbers delivered by the learn-to-swim program funded with $1.6 million by the Victorian Government.

Minister Delahunty stated that the "Government is proud to support the learn-to-swim VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program as they teach younger children important water safety skills, and make swimming a fun exercise.

"That's why it's fantastic to see even more families throughout the State, especially those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, take up the opportunity to teach their kids how to swim. It shows just how important this issue is in all our communities.

"Through the program, kids not only learn survival skills in and around water, but they also get the chance to make new friends, as well as boost their health by getting more active more often.

"More than 12,000 children have so far participated in the program, which offers subsidised swimming lessons and significantly reduces the cost for participants in learn-to-swim classes.

"Congratulations to Aquatics and Recreation Victoria for managing the successful learn-to-swim program and thanks to the 120 venues across Victoria who took on an extra 2,200 kids this year to accommodate the community demand.

"We are extremely proud of this program because it not only goes a long way towards saving lives but ensures as many children as possible have fair and equitable access when it comes to learning how to swim in their local area."

In 2013, VICSWIM has also been able to cover more locations, with new and continuing partnerships taking the overall total to 120 venues a 30% increase on 2012. In its second year of a revamped and Victorian Government supported program, VICSWIM Summer Kidz has been able to bring affordable aquatic education and water safety to over 12,000 children.

Dates for VICSWIM Summer Kidz 2014 have already been announced.

The first of three weeks of aquatic education will commence on Monday 6th January 2014. Enrolments will open in August 2013.

For more information go to www.vicswim.com.au 

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