More than 20,000 South Australian children have begun learning water safety skills at VACSWIM 2008, which started this week at 154 locations around the state. The SA Government is contributing more than $2 million to VACSWIM over the next five years and sees the program as vital for children aged five to 18 to develop confidence in the water, learn personal survival and emergency procedures, and receive basic swimming stroke instruction.
VACSWIM boosts water safety for 20,000 children
Hon PAUL CAICA MP Minister for Employment, Training & Further Education Minister for Science and Information Economy Minister for Youth Minister for Gambling Contact details
January 10, 2008
More than 20,000 South Australian children have begun learning valuable water safety skills at VACSWIM 2008, which started this week at 154 locations around the State.
The State Government is contributing more than $2 million to VACSWIM over the next five years.
Acting Recreation and Sport Minister Paul Caica says VACSWIM is a vital program for children aged five to 18 to develop confidence in the water, learn personal survival and emergency procedures, and receive basic swimming stroke instruction.
“With more than 20,000 children enrolled in this year’s program, I congratulate South Australian parents on recognising the importance of the VACSWIM program,” Mr Caica said.
“Water safety is an important issue for all South Australians, particularly with our enjoyment of water-based activities like spending a day at the beach, swimming, and fishing and boating.
“Unfortunately there have been six tragic drownings in South Australia this summer. Water safety needs to be a priority for all of us.
“VACSWIM 2008 is an important program in educating our children in water safety and I urge all parents to enrol their children in VACSWIM in the future.”
Mr Caica says it is very pleasing that enrolments have increased by 1300 this year from 2007.
“Some metropolitan pools, for example Waterworld at Tea Tree Gully and the Unley pool, have had to extend their class times to cope with demand, while metropolitan beach locations like Seacliff and Semaphore are full,” he said.
“In regional areas, holiday locations such as the south coast and Yorke Peninsula have recorded excellent numbers with Port Elliott full, while numbers on Eyre Peninsula are also very good.
“VACSWIM manager LeisureCo works closely with the Royal Life Saving Society and Surf Lifesaving SA to ensure the highest levels of water safety instruction are provided to young participants in all locations – pools, beaches and lakes in metropolitan and regional areas.
“There is really no excuse why Australians should not feel confident in the water and be able to swim.”
VACSWIM allows participants to develop:
Water safety knowledge in, on and around water;
Confidence and competence in and around aquatic environments;
Personal survival skills;
Emergency procedures, safe self-rescue and the rescue of others; and
Swimming strokes and skills.
The 2008 program is being conducted by 740 qualified instructors and assisted by 300 volunteers through to January 17.
Late enrolments can still be made at some venues. Interested parents should contact the VACSWIM office on 8372 6044.
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