Did you know that three-quarters of all drownings in Australia happen outside of swimming pools? YMCA Bellingen and YMCA Dorrigo urge all parents to make sure their kids know how to be safe around all types of water this summer.
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YMCA NSW, one of the country’s largest swimming providers, runs swimming lessons at both Bellingen Shire Swim Centre and Dorrigo Swim Centre throughout the year to not only teach stroke technique, but also critical water safety skills kids need to be safe around the pool as well as at the beach, local creeks and river and dams.
“It is alarming to think that more than a third of all drownings deaths in Australia occurred at the beach in a river or a creek,” centre manager Melissa Morgan said.
“Our swimming programs teach the essential water safety skills needed to reduce the risk of drowning in all water locations and save the life of not only the swimmer, but also their friends and family. Being involved in swimming lessons is a great way to have fun and meet new friends as well. We offer lessons for people of all ages and swimming ability.”
Carmel knows all too well the value of attending YMCA Swimming Lessons having seen the way it has helped her daughter Bella.
“Bella has gained so much more confidence in and around water since she began swimming lessons at Bellingen,” Carmel said.
“It has also made it more fun to take our family to our local rivers and beaches as she is no longer so afraid of the water. I encourage all parents to take advantage of swimming lessons in our local area as it is such an important skill for our children to learn especially in the area we live”.
YMCA NSW teaches over 27,000 kids to swim at local pools across NSW and ACT each year. For more information on YMCA Swimming Lessons, visit ymcansw.org.au.
YMCA NSW is a community not-for-profit organisation committed to connecting people to their communities to live healthier and happier lives.
We deliver services in more than 100 locations across NSW including camps, before and after school care, community recreation and sporting facilities, swimming pools and youth services. We also raise funds to deliver much needed community programs.
With a commitment to delivering healthy living programs, empowering young people and making a positive social impact, we strive to ensure that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. With YMCA NSW, everyone can be healthier, happier and connected to their community.