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Swimly’s Head Coach Jason Cram, along with a dedicated team, are addressing the alarming rise in deaths due to drowning by providing adults with essential water safety skills and helping them overcome aquaphobia - their fear of the water.

Swimly, is an adult-focused swim coaching business founded by Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Swimmer Jason Cram. Swimly has a dedicated team of coaches with the business offering personalised coaching programs designed to instil confidence, proficiency, and safety in aquatic environments.

Australia is witnessing an alarming rise in deaths due to drowning, with 323 lives lost over the past year. This marks a 16% increase compared to the ten-year average, according to the 2024 National Drowning Report by Royal Life Saving Australia.

As drowning rates continue to climb - particularly among adults, those aged 65 and older - Cram, a former training partner of Olympic legend Ian Thorpe, and his team at Swimly are leading efforts to combat this by helping adults overcome their fear of the water, focusing on water confidence training and swim education.

The 2024 National Drowning Report highlights that adults aged 45-64 account for a significant portion of drowning deaths, many of which occurred in rivers, beaches, and swimming pools. Notably, 46% of drowning deaths happened in coastal areas, while 34% took place in inland waterways. This combination of environments, coupled with low swimming proficiency and fear of water, makes adults particularly vulnerable.

Cram emphasises that many adults, particularly those with traumatic water experiences, face a cycle of fear that hinders their ability to learn critical life-saving techniques. His team combines tailored swim instruction with coaching psychology to build confidence and resilience in the water.

Cram notes "adult drownings are preventable, but they often occur because individuals lack basic water safety skills or are paralysed by fear. Through Swimly, our team is helping adults - many of whom have avoided water for years - develop a healthy, confident relationship with aquatic environments."

Swimly’s program, which has successfully helped over 150 adults conquer their aquaphobia, demonstrates that with the right support and training, it is possible to overcome fear and build essential water skills at any age. The increase in drownings among older Australians is alarming and underscores the urgent need for such initiatives. The 2024 National Drowning Report indicates that 92 people aged 65 and over drowned over the past year - the largest number ever recorded.

"Many of our clients come to us after years of avoiding water altogether," adds Cram. "Our goal as a team is not just to teach adults how to ‘swim’ but to make them feel safe, in control, and confident in the water. It's about saving lives by removing the fear of water."

Susan, 56, a former Swimly client, shared her life-changing experience "I never thought I'd overcome my fear of water, but Jason and his team's support and understanding helped me build confidence in the water and in myself."

In just over three years of operation, Swimly has become a beacon of hope for individuals from diverse backgrounds who seek to confront their fears and embrace the water. Cram and his team's commitment to empowering their clients extends beyond the pool, fostering personal growth and resilience that transcends into other aquatic environments and aspects of their lives.

A Call to Action for Greater Water Safety
As Australia’s drowning statistics continue to rise, it is clear that a stronger focus on adult swim education and water safety initiatives is needed. Swimly's efforts align with the broader goals of the Royal Life Saving Society, which advocates for public awareness and water safety training as critical tools to reduce drowning deaths.

Cram and his team’s work at Swimly shows that unique and effective swim programs can save lives and empower individuals to take control of their safety in the water. Their ongoing mission is to help make Australia a safer, more water-wise nation.

More information on Swimly 

More information on the Royal Life Saving Society's 2024 Drowning Report

Image. Swimly Head Coach Jason Cram with one of his Aquaphobia clients, Susan.

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