Affordable swimming classes on offer post Christmas

HUNDREDS of local kids will have the opportunity to emulate generations past and learn important water safety skills in January during the VICSWIM Summer Kidz swim classes program.

The program, which started off almost 30 years ago and would be familiar to many, incorporates a low-cost, five time 30-minute class curriculum that teaches swimming and water safety to children from 4 to twelve years of age.

At a subsidised $43 per child, VICSWIM has saved Victorian families millions of dollars over the years, with thousands taking part each summer at locations across the state, including beach and inland locations.

Feedback from many families has shown that their children would not have participated in swimming lessons if not for the discounted program.

Locally it will be staged at venues around town including Bendigo East Swimming Pool (5 to 23 January), Golden Square Pool (5 to 23 January), Peter Krenz Leisure Centre (12 to 16 January), plus Crusoe Reservoir (12 to 16 January) and Lake Eppalock (5 to 9 January).

“A big part of summer holidays in Victoria involves fun by the water,” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said.

“This program helps families by reducing the cost of lessons, which helps kids from all backgrounds be prepared and confident in and out of the water.

“The importance of water safety and swimming skills cannot be overstated, that’s why these lessons are so important.”

According to a report published by Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, 44,402 hours of water safety education were delivered during the most recent VICSWIM program (in January).

Over 170 venues took part, with 69.6 per cent of those located in regional Victoria.

Almost seven per cent of participants were born outside Australia and approximately 11.5 per cent spoke a language other than English at home.

683 Parents indicated their child had a disability and/or medical condition and 40 per cent of parents indicated this was their child(ren)’s only swimming lessons in the past twelve months.

For more information and to make a booking, visit the VICSWIM website.