YMCA Swimathon aims to help wipe out drowning across Australia

Registrations have now opened for the YMCA Swimathon 2014, which will be held at 68 pools across Australia on Sunday 2nd March.

The YMCA Swimathon encourages people of all ages and abilities to dive in and swim laps to help prevent drowning by raising funds to ensure more people young people get the chance to learn vital swimming and water safety skills.

YMCA give the example of seven year old Chloe to highlight the benefits of Swimathon. In 2010, Chloe, who has Downs Syndrome, jumped into a pool without her floatation device.

At the time Chloe had been attending one-on-one swimming lessons for two-and-a-half years and her mother Michelle, explains "I have no doubt that if it wasn't for these lessons, Chloe would no longer be with us."

Chloe is now a regular at her local YMCA and one of the event's ambassadors.

Last year 2,500 participated across 50 pools and raised $210,000 for their local communities. This year, the YMCA wants to raise more, to help more.

YMCA Australia Chief Executive Ron Mell, who last year dived in and raised almost $1,000 for the cause, explains "the ability to enjoy water and learn to swim is an important life skill, just like reading or writing. But what if you have a disability, come from a country where you may have never seen a pool before, or your parents can't afford lessons?"

Last year 291 people drowned in Australia with many more lives severely impacted by near drowning.

YMCA Australia President Graham Kent adds "even one life lost or one near miss is too many. We believe there should be no barriers to anyone being able to learn to enjoy and be safer in and around water. All money raised from the YMCA Swimathon will be reinvested in the local community where it was raised."

Last year, Kent who swam 4 kilometres and raised $1,840 to support local kids doing it tough in the Wimmera region learn to swim at the Horsham Aquatic and Leisure Centre, where he participated.

Registrations are free and open now at any participating YMCA or online to www.ymcaswimathon.org.au

21st May 2013 - 2013 YMCA SWIMATHON RAISES $211,000