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Free Swimming Lesson for Children Under 5 (National Learn2Swim Week, Sept 30 to Oct 7)

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A great awareness campaign by poolwerx. Held during spring school holidays from Sept 30 to Oct 7. Enjoy :)

An annual awareness week aimed at educating parents on the importance of teaching kids aged under five to swim. It’s also about reminding everyone about the importance of water safety. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under five, so we hope this special event will lead to more children learning the vital skills of how to swim and ultimately help reduce our drowning statistics.

Register your child for a free swim lesson at a participating swim school in your area.

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learn2swimweek.com
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  • +20

    What about adults? I genuinely don't know how to swim. I'm serious..

    • +6

      Not quite as common, but enquire with your local swim school to see if they offer adult lessons. Most that do will offer a free trial lesson.

      • +1

        It cost extra for star wars floaties though

      • +7

        Not quite as common

        Quite common for many immigrants who grew up far from the sea and migrated to Australia. These account for many of our drownings each year.

        • +8

          I meant places that cater for adult swim lessons are not as common as those that care to children and infants learning to swim.

    • Yeah, it's an overlooked thing.
      My friend never learned when he was young either and was too afraid for his friends to try.

    • +5

      I learned swimming in my early 30s. Hired an airbnb with a pool for a holiday and wife taught me the basics. I'm still not the fastest swimmer around but at least less likely to drown.

      • +2

        Wow that's cool! Well done.

        Yeah I can't really do it properly either, always struggle to get my breath timing right, but knowing how to not panic and keep yourself afloat is a must

      • Great effort learning as an adult. How long did it take to learn?

        • Well it depends on how you define swimming:) A day or so to learn how to keep afloat and not be afraid of the water, and another couple of days to actually swim from A to B.

    • +1

      Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under five

      It's not the number one cause of accidental deaths in adults. So no free session for you!!

      • It's not the number one cause of accidental deaths in adults

        It is for accidental deaths in adults at the beach.

        • Probably also the number one cause of accidental deaths in adults in pools as well!

        • +1

          That’s like saying car accidents are the number one cause of accidental deaths in cars.

          Or bullet wound is the number one cause of death for people who are shot.

          • +2

            @PainToad: Nah. They’re just allergic to bullets

          • @PainToad:

            That’s like saying car accidents are the number one cause of accidental deaths in cars.

            They are, by far…

            Next are:
            Deliberate collisions.
            Toddlers left in a hot vehicle.
            Carbon monoxide suffocation.
            Fat taxi drivers having heart attack.

        • I thought you were gonna say when their boats flip over.

    • i guess if you have a kid, sign them up and you will more than likely be in the pool with them anyway

    • +4

      Go to the local aquatic centre - government run, they all run an adult swim program - the instructors are all lovely & patient and teach the adults over in the big pool away from the kids classes quieter and away from prying eyes, for your confidence the same instructors do both kids and adults so they are super qualified and give plenty of encouragement

      Classes are never bigger than 3 or 4 people.

      Also you are never in water deeper than you can stand.

      A Lot of people cannot swim it's a vital life skill and is such a nice thing to learn, so don't hesitate and go for it,

      Good luck JC!

      • yeah good luck JC, there's lots of places that will do adult swimming! What area are you near? I know some in the South Eastern Suburbs

        • Do you know any places in cranbourne area? Asking for a friend

      • -5

        for your confidence the same instructors do both kids and adults so they are super qualified and give plenty of encouragement

        Most instructors there are actually students working part time to make a buck, not really career professionals and not really super qualified.

        • +3

          I took swimming lessons as an adult at my local pool. My instructor had a bachelors degree in criminology, a grad diploma in education, lifeguard certification and was working as a swim instructor during her maternity leave. Most of the other instructors were mature aged, worked in education and had been working at the centre for years.

          • @coffeed:

            Most of the other instructors were mature aged

            Not at our local pool… Nearly all of them are kids at Uni.

            • @jv: Many of those kids are also very experienced swimmers eg state national level which would bring a different perspective to teaching how to swim.

              • @mrtin:

                eg state national level

                That would be a minority, I'm sure…

        • No need to Neg this one, JV has stated a fact

          I actually probably should have worded that super encouraging and trained to help.

    • +1

      My local swimming pool teaches adults how to swim. very common.

    • Not sure where you are but sunshine pool (vic) does a couple of very early morning swim lessons for adults every week. Probably worth checking your local council and see if thry have anything similar available

    • +1

      Thank you for all the great feedback! :)

  • +5

    Good initiative. But in reality, it's just a free trial, as you'll need to enrol your kid for more lessons if you actually want them to learn to swim.
    Most swim schools already offer a free first lesson to test them out, so worth enquiring about that if you can't find a time that specific week.

    • +10

      Honestly, I reckon kids under X age (haven't yet decided what that age should be) should be taught for free anyway.
      Absolutely essential skill to have. More advanced lessons should attract a fee.

      • +2

        Definitely!

        Also, when you get your visa to this country you have to pass a swim test or you're not allowed at the beach /canals /etc.

        Should be at least offering lessons at main beaches

        So many needless deaths.

      • Agree. It's mostly just floating them around and getting them to kick, paddle and climb out anyway. If I had ready access to a pool (heated in winter), I'd just do that…

      • +1

        I think many schools have this and usuly covered by school or fees paid to school

        • and usuly covered by school or fees paid to school

          our school charged extra for the lessons.

    • +3

      Yea, I wonder if this isn’t just a free trail to entice a full term. Basic marketing 101.

  • +1

    Great idea. Unfortunately the closest swimming centre to me is absolutely useless and I wouldn't recommend it even for a free lesson.

  • +4

    Maybe skip swimming in Mosman till the court trial is over….

  • +1

    Over 5 can get the active kids voucher

    Considering this for my 2yo but the first clad will be a struggle just to get him into the water

    • +1

      haha…semms like I'm not the only one with this problem!

      • Wow really?

        I though all kids love the water.
        I remember looking after my sisters when they were 2 & 3 respectively and I had a hell of a time keeping them out of the deep end.

        Probably helped we were living in chevron with a pool at the time though.

    • This is why we started early with ours, daughter started at about 6 months or so.

  • +1

    Going by my kid in prep all the class knew how to swim prior to the lessons being introduced at school . But I guess its responsible parenting as the area is beachside .

  • No School Found, Please make sure to input a valid Australian post code within 100kms distance.
    am I doing wrong search?

  • +1

    Most swim schools give the first lesson for free, as well as when moving up to the next level they'll get a free trial to see if they're ready too.

    Not really a deal, but yes. Teach your kid to swim you pleb.

    • +1

      Most swim schools give the first lesson for free, as well as when moving up to the next level they'll get a free trial to see if they're ready too.

      YMCA ones don't.

  • +1

    Does any one know if a minimum age requirement applies?

  • If anyone isn't aware, Paul Sadler offer free lessons for any children aged below 6 months. I've been taking my son for a few weeks and it's been really good to teach him water familiarity etc

    • Keep it up. If you take a break from swimming they can become a screamer in the water for quite some time. IIRC it's often around 9months it happens.

      Caveat emptor: I could be spouting complete non-researched dribble.

  • What is the normal price for a lesson?

    • +1

      Like $20 for 30 minutes

  • How long is each session? And when are they on - time?

  • Does 6 months old count as well?

    • 6 months < 5 year. Checks out.

      • I was implying a minium age for this lesson. Thanks for the math.

        • +2

          Sorry, couldn't resist. I imagine it depends on the specific swim school, but most places accept kids from 3 months (some earlier). 6 months is quite common for starting swim lessons, ours started around then, maybe a bit before.

  • Awesome. My kids were born just this week. I'll see if I can register them.

    • Dam… If you waited, you could have had a free water birth !!!

      • +1

        Incorrect, mother would have had to pay full price, she is probably > 5

  • +1

    Just one free lesson for kids under five ? that should do it.

    • It's targeted for fast learners…

  • +1

    I learned to swim and breath under water before I was born.

  • just one free 30 minutes session won't make your kid can swim

    • That depends…

      If they throw you in at the deep end for 30 minutes and you survive, it might work.

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