SCHOOL PROGRAMS KEY TO REVERSE TREND

SWIMMING industry experts fear the dangerous trend of children being unable to swim to save themselves will lead to more drownings unless the State Government ramps up support for school programs.

Rackley Swimming, a family business that has 20 swim schools and educates more than 20,000 children, is seeing firsthand the decline in ability.

General manager Cameron Speechley said that it was a major concern that young people were coming out of primary school without sufficient swim skills.

“These are important life skills and they need to be taught or we will have more drownings,’’ he said.

Major supporter of swimming, Optus, has also backed the Save Our Schoolkids campaign. Managing director product and marketing, Ben White, said swimming was a great life skill for kids – not only to keep them safe, but to allow them to enjoy the water.

Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia chief Lindsay McGrath said it encouraged any promotion of swimming – and the earlier the better. “Safe, healthier and happier kids is the focus,’’ he said.

Royal Life Saving Society Queensland executive director Paul Barry said it supported any activity that promoted water safety, but believed a rushed strategy may not work. He said it co-ordinated a successful Swim and Survive program in schools, which could be expanded.