More kids than ever rescued

A RISING number of schoolaged children with poor swimming and water safety skills are being rescued on Queensland beaches, heightening fears of a spike in youth drownings.

New figures that combine statistics from Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) volunteers and professional lifeguards show that 2378 beachgoers were rescued between September 16 last year and April 30.

Of these, 926 – nearly 40 per cent – were aged five to 18.

The majority were outside the red-and-yellow flags where they were caught in rips and tidal currents or swept off their feet by waves.

Lifesavers report that many were unsupervised by parents and only quick action prevented tragic outcomes.

The stark statistics show a jump on the same period in 2016-2017 that saw 2016 rescues by volunteers and SLSQ lifeguards, 845 involving school-aged children and teenagers.

The data comes as Education Minister Grace Grace pushes ahead with a series of summits to devise a plan to boost swimming programs in schools. Ms Grace said the safety of children in the water was paramount and promised “no good idea will be ignored’’.

Two roundtables were held in February and April with another scheduled for June. Delegates will give final advice by August.

The meetings were sparked by The Bulletin’s Save Our Schoolkids (S.O.S.) campaign which is pushing for comprehensive swim and water safety lessons for primary students.

SLSQ chief operating officer George Hill said that the latest rescue data clearly showed that as well as swimming competency, water safety had to be a vital component in school programs.