Blacktown City Council's Swim Sense programs looks to tackle adult drowning toll

Blacktown City Council’s Swim Sense programs looks to tackle adult drowning toll

January 19, 2023

Aquatics / Education / Events / Safety /

Residents in Blacktown in Western Sydney residents will have the opportunity to develop important water safety skills this summer with the return of the Swim Sense water safety program.

Aware of the alarming increase in drowning deaths, Blacktown City Council’s aquatic and recreaion centres are determined to help reduce those numbers, with the ‘Swim Sense’ program having an important role at a local level.

Commenting on Australia’s summer drowning toll, Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale stated “drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for seven per cent of all injury-related deaths.

“It’s very important that people of all ages and backgrounds learn to be safe and confident swimmers so we can work towards reducing the number of drownings.”

Swim Sense is designed for adults who cannot swim or are not confident swimmers. It teaches important water safety awareness and skills they can use to build their confidence and competence in and around the water. The program provides basic swimming techniques and covers pool, waterways and beach safety.

A free four-day water safety education program aimed at adults living in the Blacktown City Local Government Area (LGA), the 2023 Swim Sense program started on Monday 16th January – running at the Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope, Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre and Riverstone Swimming Centre

Blacktown Aquatic Centre and Riverstone Swim Centre have both recently celebrated their 60th birthdays and with Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope about to celebrate its 20th birthday on Saturday 4th February 2023, the Blacktown Key Venues team advise “there is no better time for adults to learn to experience water in a safe way and open up a new world door of fun, fitness and social interaction.”

15th January 2023 - Royal Life Saving data shows 20% increase in children’s post-pandemic swimming lessons

16th December 2022 - Swimming Australia committed to ‘Win Well’ strategy as it looks to post Brisbane 2032 legacy

9th November 2022 - More than 500 children lose their lives to drowning over past two decades

3rd November 2022 - Blacktown City Council’s Aqua Learn to Swim program gets Swim Australia recognition

11th October 2022 - Blacktown City Council issues expressions of interest for multiple opportunities at the BEST Stage 2 development

7th October 2022 - WestInvest to fund upgrades to community and aquatic centres, parks and sport reserves in Blacktown

17th September 2022 - Rising drowning toll prompts AUSTSWIM to emphasise importance of educating new swimming teachers

16th September 2022 - 2021/22 drowning toll the highest in more than 25 years

29th August 2022 - Blacktown City Family SportsFest returns in 2022 showcasing the best of local sport

4th August 2022 - Blacktown Key Venues spotlights its latest aquatic and leisure centre achievements

21st June 2022 - Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope welcomes its 16 millionth guest

15th March 2022 - New splash pad opens at Blacktown Aquatic Centre

19th August 2021 - Blacktown City Council reopens playgrounds and calls for mass vaccination hub

10th March 2021 - Blacktown City Council partners with Royal Life Saving NSW to deliver new Swim Teacher course

9th March 2021 - Blacktown City Council’s Swim Sense program empowers adults in the water

4th January 2021 - Blacktown Council marks five years of its Aqua Learn to Swim program

4th November 2013 - Parents value swimming and water safety lessons above other out-of-school activities

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