PRE-SCHOOL children are learning that swimming and splashing is fun, but can be dangerous if unfamiliar with depths and conditions, as part of an annual swimming program in Cohuna.
Local veteran qualified swimming instructor, Geoff Dale has overseen holiday programs at the Cohuna Swimming Pool for about 20 years, helping youngsters become familiar with water and the basic skills required to stay afloat.
Mr Dale said he is seeing more children less competent in the water, as he referred to statistics presented in the Life Saving Victoria 2014/15 drowning report.
“As children grow and become more competent in the water, drowning in public swimming pools increased to represents 43 per cent of total drowning in the five to 14 year age group,” he said.
“What they have identified now is that inland water is the major source of drownings, with the Murray River a major site of concern.
“There has been something like 82 deaths in the Murray between 2002 and 2015.”
Mr Dale said most primary school students he instructs are unable to swim 50 metres continuously, a concerning trend that was highlighted in the report.
“Water is fun to be around, but things can take a turn for the worst if unsupervised and unable to swim to land,” he said.
Four youngsters faced their fears and learnt how to safely enter the pool, float and swim in flippers during a swimming session on Monday.
