Don’t let the cooler weather let you forget about the importance of water safety this year. Photo: Stellar Swim.
Swimming isn’t just for summer. In fact, it should be promoted all year round to maintain the skills we need to stay safe later in the year.
Erica Brown from Stellar Swim says the team has the perfect way to help Canberra do just that.
The warmer seasons might be over but the importance of water safety and basic swimming capabilities are a year-round responsibility for everyone across the country.
The deck manager and swim instructor says the cold weather will often scare people off swimming in the cooler months, but Stellar Swim has a way around it.
“A lot of the time as it starts to cool down, a lot of people – especially children – opt for a winter sport to decrease the chances of getting a flu from the cold weather,” Erica says.
“One of the benefits of learning to swim with us is that we have not only a heated pool but also a heated pool deck so even the spectators can stay warm.”
Erica says now is as an important time as ever to maintain and learn new skills when it comes to all things water safety.
“COVID-19 has created a pretty big gap when it comes to this industry, a lot of younger kids never really got the opportunity to learn to swim from a young age and we’re hoping our programs will close that gap.”
The programs are designed for anyone from the age of six months all the way up to adults with half-hour classes running through the week.
“We offer half-hour sessions once a week, anyone who wants to sign up can a day that works best for them and then we’ll provide all the training they need,” Erica says.
“It doesn’t matter what experience level you have or how old you are, we just want to get people confident and safe in and around the water.”
Erica says by offering students four free classes, it may provide an incentive for them to continue to come back and expand their skills or learn new ones.
“We really do want to help out the community as so many people struggle to keep up with the cost of living,” Erica says.
“By taking off the cost of four out of 12 classes it feels like giving back a little bit and helping people maintain their skills.”
The skills being taught vary from being comfortable putting your face in the water or being confident around water to floating. As you progress through the programs, you’ll learn how to move your arms and legs properly and improve on these skills.
“The other thing we are passionate about teaching is how to be safe around all bodies of water and what to do to get help if needed,” Erica says.
“It’s about educating everyone who attends by telling them, but also showing them, skills that could one day potentially save their lives next time they go swimming.”
The four weeks of free lessons run until 30 June. All interested participants must first register through the Stellar Swim website to take advantage of the offer.
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