Five-year-olds Archie and Anika, and three-year-old Elsie, have been diving into their lessons as part of the recent Infant Aquatics program at the Quairading Swimming Pool.
Royal Life Saving WA has been delivering the program in partnership with the Shire of Quairading since 2020 and each season the number of young children taking part continues to grow.
“This has proved to be a popular program and highlights the absolute need to build skills and water confidence in the youngest members of our community,” said Jen Green, Shire of Quairading Project Coordinator.
“The program brings an essential educational service to town and is vital in enhancing community safety, reducing the risk of drowning and building resilient children.”
In the past decade there were 29 fatal drowning incidents recorded amongst children under 4, the highest drowning rate of any age group in WA. The Wheatbelt also reported 35 drowning incidents in the past decade, with poor swimming ability being the biggest risk factor.
The most recent Infant Aquatics season saw 33 pre-schoolers learn essential water safety skills, with a focus on individual progression suitable to a child’s development stage.
“The baby swim lessons are such a valuable program, teaching children beneficial water skills from a young age, which is important as we live on a farm where water safety is always a concern,” said Jenna Bavin, a parent of two children in the program.
“I loved watching the confidence and skills in my child grow throughout the program.”
Delivering Infant Aquatics to the Quairading community was made possible through Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive Fund. The Fund aims to make swimming and water safety accessible for all, supporting drowning prevention in vulnerable communities and regional areas.
