Give yourselves a round of applause. Why? Well, we’re only two weeks away from the end of summer and, to date, there have been ZERO reported drownings in backyard swimming pools this season.
When we talk about water safety, what people think of most is pool safety.
This past summer, however, an alarming 96% of drownings that happened in Australia occurred in natural inland and coastal bodies of water. Beaches, coastal rocks and oceans made up the majority (55%) of all occurrences.*
So we need to start thinking outside the pool fence.
Water safety often focuses on instructing parents to never take their eyes off their children, but the reality is that our water babies turn into beachcombers and we won’t always be there when the waves beckon.
It’s time to think ahead. The number one thing we can do to keep them safe now and in the future is to teach them to swim confidently.
They may not come to rely on these skills until they’re older, but the time to begin teaching them is now.
In the Sutherland Shire there are many swimming schools you can choose from, however none are able to offer you as much as Sutherland Shire Leisure Centres!
Here are a few reasons we love them:
Location: Learn to Swim programs are run at Sutherland, Caringbah and Engadine Leisure Centres so there’s a good bet there’s one not too far from you.
Parking: When you’re lugging around wet swimming gear with kids in tow, there’s nothing worse than having to walk two blocks down the road. There’s ample space at the Sutherland Shire Leisure Centres car parks so you won’t have to.
Classes: Their pre-school programs cater for babies and children from 6 months to 6 years old but there’s a program for anyone of any age who’s looking to improve their swimming. The classes are varied, fun and led by qualified, experienced trainers.
Onsite Facilities: If you have a child who’s three or under, there’s a good chance getting in and out of the car is not always a pleasurable experience so being able to spend the whole morning or afternoon in one place is a huge bonus! As a Learn to Swim member, you can make full use of the heated pools (and the Water Fun Park at Sutherland) before or after your class. We suggest beginning with a swim to warm your children up and so you’re not rushing to make it to class, then sit back and let the instructors do their thing. Afterwards, reward their efforts with a bite to eat from the café. Sutherland Shire Leisure Centres also offer gym and crèche facilities so you can squeeze in some ‘me’ time while the kids enjoy a play!
Affordability: While other local swim schools charge $20+ per lesson, Sutherland Shire Leisure Centres lessons are only $18.50 for your first child and $16.65 for additional children.
Safety may start with the pool gate, but it shouldn’t stop there. You can help protect your child today and in years to come. Simply call 02 8536 9777 to enrol your child now or visit Sutherland Shire Leisure Centres website for more information.
*Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll, Feb 12 2020, https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/facts-and-figures/summer-drowning-toll
