Western Australia's Department of Education bans open water VacSwim lessons at south coast beaches

Citing "multiple risks" Western Australia's Department of Education has said a swim education program at three south coast beach locations will not proceed this summer.

The Department of Education told the parents of dozens of students enrolled for swimming lessons under the state’s VacSwim program at Cape Riche, Cosy Corner and Starvation Bay that classes were to be cancelled due to identified safety risks at the open water locations.

These included lack of lifeguard patrols, gravel road access in case of emergency and poor mobile phone coverage.

However, Western Australian Education Minister Tony Buti has since intervened, calling for an independent review into the department's decision.

Amid media reports of unhappy parents, a spokesperson for Minister Buti said he had discussions with Department of Education officials on the matter last week.

The spokesperson advised “the department will now undertake an independent review of all three cancelled open water VacSwim classes.

"The review will involve community consultation and provide options that ensure students will receive swimming and water safety lessons."

Speaking to the ABC before Minister Buti announced the review, Western Australian Department of Education Deputy Director-General, Jim Bell stated “tThe standard of the safety level the broader community expects now has changed.

"We make every effort to provide swimming lessons across the state but we actually have to do it safely."

Bell said gravel road access to these three beaches and mobile reception meant reduced response during an emergency, adding “we don't make these decisions lightly.”

 Bell said at Cape Riche there were incidents reported by instructors of people flicking bait from boats during lessons and dogs approaching students, which posed safety risks.

Parents told the ABC they had not witnessed any safety incidents during swimming lessons.

From its beginnings in 1919, VacSwim has grown to be the largest vacation swimming program in Australia, catering for beginners through to advanced swimmers, teaching childre aged five to 17 swimming skills, survival, rescue and resuscitation.

Emphasising the importance of staying safe around the water, in 2017/18 the program was delivered to 56,998 students by more than 1500 qualified swimming instructors at 184 locations across Western Australia.

Image: VacSwim. Credit: Surf Life Saving WA.