MORE than 100 people tragically drowned in Australian waterways this past summer.<\/p>\n
The Royal Life Saving Australia National Summer Drowning Toll showed drownings were up 5 per cent from the 2023-24 summer, and up 14 per cent on the five-year-average.<\/p>\n
Males remained over-represented at 81 per cent of the data, with one third (32 per cent) of people aged 55 years and over.<\/p>\n
Victoria recorded the second highest number of drowning deaths – 22 lives – with New South Wales topping the list at 33.<\/p>\n
Approximately one third of drownings occurred at beaches (32 per cent) rivers (30 per cent).<\/p>\n
Two thirds of the drownings occurred in regional areas due to greater exposure to natural waters and reduced access to safe swimming areas.<\/p>\n
Royal Life Saving Australia chief executive officer Dr Justin Scarr said this summer was tragic in many ways.<\/p>\n
“Too many families and communities have been affected by drowning.<\/p>\n
“The figures reinforce long held concerns that many Australians lack the swimming skills to enjoy the water safely.”<\/p>\n
Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club said it completed more than 200 rescues over the summer period.<\/p>\n
Club president Brett Thompson said if lifesavers were not on the beach it would have been worse, and casualties could have been an unfortunate result.<\/p>\n
“There’s more people on the beach, and more new Australians and definitely people who have never had swimming lessons.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully the new swimming pool in Torquay can help a little bit. We feel a lot of the rescues we do are people who can’t swim<\/p>\n
“The sheer numbers of people on the beach make it difficult. Volunteer numbers are dropping off and something has to change.”<\/p>\n
Thompson said Jan Juc SLSC was targeting involvement with local high schools and universities to get people in the 16-20 year age group involved in the sport.<\/p>\n
“There’s a real drop off after people have finished Nippers. It’s trying to keep them involved and get new members.<\/p>\n
“We are trying to push more into the older schools rather than just primary schools, to get them to come down and help.<\/p>\n
“It helps career-wise and resume-wise to have these awards you can gain through surf life saving.”<\/p>\n