POOLWERX LAUNCHES SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM

Learning to swim is a rite of passage every child should experience, and the annual Learn2Swim Week, a community safety initiative driven by Poolwerx, is back in 2019 from 30 September to 7 October.

Poolwerx CEO and founder John O’Brien said the purpose of the social responsibility program was to improve water safety in the at-risk under-fives and they were looking for at least 400 swim schools across the country to support the week-long event.

“Learning to swim is one of the top drowning prevention measures. It is a lifesaving skill every child needs to know, and we’re calling on all local swim schools to get involved with Learn2Swim Week to help us achieve our ultimate goal of having zero drownings in under-fives,” he said.

Learn2Swim Week won Franchise Council of Australia’s (FCA) national Franchisor Social Responsibility Award 2018.

“Our Franchise Partners throughout Australia and New Zealand are highly committed to this campaign and bringing awareness about the importance of water safety. This initiative is all about education and ultimately helping to save lives. We hope Learn2Swim Week makes it easier for both parents and children to experience the importance of water safety.”

O’Brien said Poolwerx research showed 36 per cent of parents who registered their child for Learn2Swim Week last year had personally, or knew of someone who had, experienced a near-drowning experience.

“It is scary to think so many people have had to face such a terrifying experience with a loved one. We know the ability to swim is one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of childhood drowning, so we need to introduce more kids to water familiarisation as early as possible.”

Laurie Lawrence from Kids Alive - Do the Five, is the program ambassador and has once again partnered with Poolwerx to deliver the initiative and said it was a wonderful way for Franchise Partners and local swim schools to show their community they care about saving children’s lives.

“Under-fives have one of the highest drowning rates in the country, so they need to know how to respect and handle the water,” he said. “Ideally, offering a 5-lesson intensive course is recommended, but even if a swim school can provide one free lesson, it might just help prove to a parent how vital learning about water safety is,” Laurie said.

“Last year 66 per cent of parents of who participated in the event kept their children in swimming lessons long-term, which shows the message is getting through and parents understand how vital learning to swim is at an early age.”

Learn2Swim Week will run from 30 September - 7 October.

www.learn2swimweek.com