PJ MASKS will help power up swimming for Australian children with swim industry experts concerned about an increase in drownings this Summer as new research revealed 54% of children are not learning to swim.
27% of kids have been forced out of lessons due to COVID restrictions and 28% are unable to find class availability at their local swim school.
Between 15-21 November 2021, Swim Australia is holding its annual SwimSAFER Week.
The SwimSAFER Report commissioned by Swim Australia, as part of the annual SwimSAFER Week, discovered only 37% of parents planned to enrol their child in official lessons within the next six months, with 29% planning to teach their child themselves.
Swim Australia CEO, Brendon Ward said the circumstances of the past two years would have a long-term effect on the swimming ability of children in Australia.
“COVID has impacted the swimming industry immensely with lessons halted for long periods and swimming teachers leaving the industry because of shutdowns, resulting in swim schools unable to meet demand,” he said.
“Our study shows 16% of children have not attended swimming lessons for over a year and another 25% have been out of the pool between 6-12 months. This is a very dangerous scenario as it means children’s abilities in the water will have regressed. There will be children who may never learn how to swim properly.”
Ward confirmed there was a 20% increase in total drownings after the first lockdown. *
“The situation is very serious, and we shudder to think what might happen this summer given so many children have not been learning to swim. Parents confirm our fears with 51% not confident their child could help themselves in a water emergency.”
Swimming might be our most popular sport, but it may also be in jeopardy with 44% of Australians acknowledging interruptions to swimming lessons over the last two years will impact future professional and Olympic swimming success.
“The impact of children not learning to swim has far reaching consequences, not only for their safety but for the longevity of the sport and how many future swim heroes we will produce. Some children may never learn to swim. There is a lot at stake if we don’t get children back learning to swim as soon as possible,” Mr Ward said.
The Swim IT Forward initiative aims to reduce the barriers for parents by generating funds to help families afford swimming lessons next year.
“By donating one swimming lesson or just $20, people can potentially save a life by helping a child get back in the water and find their confidence.”
To encourage children’s love of the water and promote the value of swimming lessons, Hasbro a global play and entertainment company, is collaborating with Swim Australia to support SwimSAFER week with a campaign featuring the heroes from the popular pre-school brand PJ MASKS. The campaign aims to inspire young children and parents on the importance of swim safety along with heroes Catboy, Owlette and Gekko as they help children ‘power up’ their swimming.
The PJ MASKS campaign includes creating co-branded content with campaign ambassadors; Olympic Gold Medallist Leisel Jones, Olympian Alex Graham and Paralympian Brenden Hall.
There are over 500 swim schools celebrating SwimSAFER Week across Australia with a range of events. People can find their closest participating swim school at www.swimsafer.org.au. Parents unable to attend a swimming school due to COVID lockdowns or limitations can access great water safety tools for children also on the website.
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