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Discover the Real Value of Swimming Lessons.

Australia’s love affair with water is undeniable. From our sun-kissed surf beaches to inland rivers and backyard pools, water is woven into the cultural fabric of our nation. But with that access comes risk: drowning remains a preventable tragedy that affects people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. 

The National Drowning Report 2025 from Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia revealed 357 drowning deaths over the past year, a figure 27 % higher than the 10-year average. 

These deaths span all age groups and settings, from familiar beach trips to backyard pools and remote waterways, underscoring that familiarity with water does not guarantee safety without the skills to manage it. 

Key trends from the 2025 data include: 

  • Adults aged 65 and older accounted for one-third of drowning deaths. 
  • Young people aged 15–24 experienced a drowning rate 38 % above the decade average, linked to lower swimming proficiency. 
  • Children under 5 still drown, with 15 deaths reported – though this was below the 10-year average – and many incidents occurred in home pools. 
  • Around one-third of drownings involved people born overseas, reflecting access and cultural experience gaps. 

These aren’t just numbers; each statistic represents a person, a family, and communities that have changed forever. 

Swimming lessons teach people of all ages how to survive, respond, and make safe decisions in and around water. They build: 

  • Confidence to enter different aquatic environments 
  • Skills to float, recover and conserve energy 
  • Awareness of risk, especially in open water 
  • Respect for personal limits 

Yet many Australians miss out on these skills.  

Almost half of Year 6 students can’t swim 50 metres or tread water for two minutes, and many children stop lessons before mastering critical survival skills. These gaps often resurface later, in the teen years, adulthood or when supervising others. 

Choosing GOswim means choosing a program that puts people first, at every age, from every background, for life.

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