AusLeisure

With the closure of swimming pools and sports facilities during the pandemic having drastically limited access to swimming lessons, the Y Victoria has launched 'Destination Summer', a water safety awareness campaign that focuses on the importance of building swim skills in preparation for summer and after COVID lockdowns.

Started on 1st November, the campaign aims to address the growing concern about the long-term effects shown by increased drowning numbers in 2020 by enabling Victorian families to get their children back into swimming lessons as quickly as possible.

Introducing the campaign, Erica Molina, YMCA Victoria’s Marketing Business Partner for Recreation, explained “we created an emotive campaign because this summer may look a little different than previous years as we emerge from rolling lockdowns, so we are mindful of this through our language and imagery.”

The swimming lesson campaign reminds parents of the risks involved in every type of aquatic environment and how swimming lessons help children make the right choices to be safer in and around the water. Y Victoria in partnership with local government will be sharing digital and print messages with their communities about keeping kids safe this summer.

Alexandra Ash, YMCA Victoria’s Executive General Manager Recreation, added “families may choose to take a trip up the coast, spend a week at a lakeside township or just visit their local pool every day. Wherever families are spending their summer, children need swimming lessons to stay safe and to make the most out of everything the warmer weather offers.

“It is not just swimming lessons. It’s about safety around bodies of water, lakes, rivers and even the bath. Let’s hope swimming lessons are one of the first foundational life skills to return to the community.”

The campaign aims to highlight that enrolling children in swimming lessons will enable them to build the essential skills they need, not just for the pool but for wherever summer takes them.

Related Articles

25th November 2021 - Greater Shepparton Council invites community opinion on future of women only swimming

20th November 2021 - The Y NSW seeks lifeguards and swimming instructors

22nd November 2021 - Summit to present how embracing technology will drive revival of aquatic, fitness and recreation facilities

18th November 2021 - SwimSAFER Week research reveals more than half of Australian children not learning to swim

17th November 2021 - YMCA highlights Victoria’s love of regional outdoor pools

16th November 2021 - Mornington Peninsula’s Yawa Aquatic Centre finally gets official opening

14th November 2021 - Opinion: Are today’s aquatic recreation centres really serving the community?

14th November 2021 - IAKS releases project case studies from aquatic centres around the world

12th November 2021 - New Royal Life Saving research shows social impact of the aquatic industry

11th November 2021 - Tragedy of toddler drowning claims lives of more than 500 young Australians

1st November 2021 - ASSA launches Countdown to Summer Series swim safety campaign

22nd September 2021 - Royal Life Saving announces new partnership program for swim schools

16th September 2021 - The Y looks for new National Chief Executive following resignation of Melinda Crole

8th September 2021 - Lockdowns contribute to rise in Australian drowning deaths during past year

8th September 2021 - Sports Environment Alliance and YMCA Victoria announce new partnership project

20th July 2021 - AUSTSWIM launches winter special for Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety courses

7th July 2021 - With swim schools facing permanent closure industry leader calls for learn-to-swim services to be classed as an essential service

7th May 2021 - The Y Victoria announces Dr Lindsay McMillan as new Chair of the Board

31st December 2020 - VICSWIM launches 2021 Summer Kidz program

18th November 2020 - Latrobe City Council announces YMCA Victoria as operator of new Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre

18th September 2020 - YMCA Victoria renews management contract for the Benalla Aquatic Centre

13th September 2020 - Royal Life Saving survey suggests that swim school enrolments fell by 30% in August

4th June 2020 - YMCA Victoria leads extensive customer research to help inform its facility reopenings

19th December 2019 - YMCA Victoria secures Boroondara City Council recreation facilities contract

16th December 2019 - YMCA Victoria and Melbourne Stars partner for second year to improve community wellbeing

21st October 2019 - YMCA Victoria water safety message reaches international audience

17th October 2019 - YMCA Victoria backs Sport Australia’s position on physical literacy

27th September 2017 - AUSTSWIM launches Water Watcher Pledge

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

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.