A BENDIGO swim school will offer free lessons to young children during this year\u2019s Learn2Swim Week.<\/p>\n
The campaign led by pool maintenance company, Poolwerx, and water safety program, Kids Alive, aims to prevent childhood drownings across the country by teaching children how to swim.<\/p>\n
Gurri Wanyarra Swim School is set to hold the lessons from 25 September to 3 October for children under five years old.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s initiative follows the drowning deaths of 12 children in the same age group last year, and Poolwerx Bendigo franchisee Gary Howden said learning how to swim in the early life stages was particularly important.<\/p>\n
\u201cSwimming is a way of life for most Australians, but sadly we\u2019re still seeing backyard drownings. That is why it is crucial to introduce kids to water safety as early as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Australia\u2019s largest pool servicing brand, we feel that we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to promote safe water practices in our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cNearly 2.7 million Australians live in a house with a swimming pool, and with people staying at home more over the last eighteen months through COVID, we know that this number is rapidly increasing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat makes Learn2Swim Week an even more vital initiative, and one which Poolwerx are proud to pioneer.\u201d<\/p>\n
If lessons can\u2019t take place under COVID-19 restrictions, participants will instead receive a free class voucher that can be used within the next year.<\/p>\n