Call for swimming lessons to return
Local swimming coach Paul Myers has called for children’s swimming lessons to resume to help prevent drowning tragedies this summer.
Mr Myers, Warragul Swimming Club head coach and local swimming school operator, said children’s swimming lessons needed to be classed an essential service to allow indoor pools to open across both regional and metropolitan areas.
“It’s scientifically proven that indoor pools are safe,” he said. “There is absolutely no reason for pools not to be open.”
Whilst outdoor pools have reopened, indoor pools which host children’s swimming lessons must remain closed.
Mr Myers said it had been nine months since many local kids undertook lessons. He believes the result would be lack of confidence and skills around water leading into summer.
“I think there is a real tragedy that is going to happen,” he warned.
Mr Myers declared far too many kids already drown in Victoria. He believes parents can put up all the fencing and barriers they like but it would not replace skills learnt in swimming lessons.
He said research, supported by various
Australian swim bodies, had been released and there was no known case of transfer of coronavirus in an indoor pool.
Mr Myers gained the support of Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath who called for children’s water safety and learn to swim programs to recommence in line with the start of term four at schools.
Ms Bath said drowning remained one of the most common causes of accidental death in children.
“Learning to swim is an essential life skill and an important developmental milestone for all Victorian school aged children,” she said. “With summer just around the corner, swim school operators want the green light from the Andrews Government.”
“There is no reason why swim schools cannot operate with COVIDsafe plans just like every other business,” added Ms Bath. “Daniel Andrews must allow swim schools to reopen so critical swimming lessons can recommence for children.”
Mr Myers also praised Baw Baw Shire Council for its support of swimming and taking on the extra cost to open the 50-metre outdoor pool in Warragul earlier than scheduled.
“We are very fortunate in Warragul to have one (of only three in country Victoria),” he said.