Summer swimming

By Kelly Yates
“DON’T let a family holiday become a tragedy this summer.”
That is the message coming from Casey ARC and Casey RACE in the lead up to summer, with staff saying that fences, lifeguards and floaties will never substitute for the ability to swim.
A Harkaway mother knows all too well the importance of swimming, signing her children, aged two, five and seven, up for AquaSafe lessons at the Narre Warren centre.
Tara Wilson told the News she felt swimming was not negotiable.
“It’s a life skill,” she said.
“Jack, Ruby and Patrick all have a lesson once a week and have extra time in the water during the school holidays for a swim and play.”
The National Drowning Report noted that 26 people drowned in Victoria last year, while across the nation, 50 children drowned, with nearly two-thirds being under the age of five.
Casey ARC manager Wes Hurrey said swimming and water safety was all about drowning prevention.
According to Mr Hurrey, the YMCA has a long history in aquatic education.
“But learning to swim laps of a pool will not make your child safer in water,” he said.
“Swimming laps is great for the sport of swimming, but at the YMCA we strive to give your child the knowledge and skills to be safer in water, wherever that may be – the beach, river, lake or just simply at home.”
Mr Hurrey says that being safer in water means that a child can better make the right decisions about personal safety, understand water conditions in a variety of environments, know and follow water safety rules and develop the physical capabilities of balance and control to cope with all aquatic environments.
The YMCA AquaSafe aquatic education program offers children opportunities to learn water safety skills, develop self-confidence and gain self-awareness.
Lessons are progressive for children aged 6 months to 13 years, with a maximum of six participants in a class.
To download the YMCA water safety advice tips visit www.caseyarc.ymca.org.au