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How are your New Years Resolutions going in the lead up to Christmas and New Years Eve 2024…..? Maybe this year we could all commit to some Water Safety resolutions, and to implementing them all year round? Supervise – Keep Watch! A lapse in adult supervision was the major risk factor in 100% of all toddler drowning deaths last year, and drowning remains the number 1 cause of accidental death in children under 5, with most deaths in this age group occurring in backyard pools. Don’t be distracted when with children around water - nothing is more important than their safety. Put the phone down and enjoy this precious time in the sun. Never assume someone else is watching. Learn To Swim. Every water safety education programme has a common message – learn to swim – from babies to children to adults. It is a proven fact that swimming lessons save lives. The sooner your child can get safety back to the edge of the pool unaided, the better. Make this year your year to get your kids into lessons, and to learn yourself if required. Fence the pool & shut the gate. Accidental falls into water remain the leading activity prior to drowning among children under five. Check the fence is safe and cannot be climbed, and that the pool gate is self latching. Barriers provide an important extra layer of protection but are never a substitute for constant adult supervision. Watch your mate – don’t let your mates drink and drown. The message is simple: wear a lifejacket when on the river, avoid consumption of alcohol and drugs around water, know your limits, don’t take any risks, and never swim alone. Respect the river. We are very lucky to live so near to the beautiful Nepean River and Penrith Beach, however the flat, still surface of an inland waterway can give a false sense of security, and currents, undertows or submerged objects can prove to be very dangerous. Royal Life Saving Australia’s Respect the River education program has decreased river drownings by 18% since its inception in 2015, however we still have some way to go. Be aware of your location. Swim between the flags and in patrolled areas only at the beach, and be aware of any rip currents. Learn CPR and educate children about water safety. Would you know what to do in an emergency? If the answer is no, make it your resolution to learn CPR in 2025. Let’s all make 2025 a year to improve the swimming and water safety skills of all Australians and to see more local children reach all of the recommended swimming benchmarks, for lifelong safe and active participation in physical aquatic activities and recreation. If your children are not yet in lessons – please enrol them. If your children are learning to swim – keep them in lessons until they are truly competent. See you in 2025!

Summer is here, children are nearly finished school, and Christmas is coming! However we can’t afford to become complacent about water safety during the silly season, as Royal Life Saving Australia research shows that Australian's are twice more likely to drown on a public holiday than any other day of the year. 210 Australians drowned on public holidays over the past 15 years, and holiday makers are at highest risk, being 2.5 times more likely to drown due to lack of knowledge and familiarity with the local water ways. Alcohol is a significant contributor to public holiday drowning deaths, and it's men that are commonly susceptible to a higher risk, with the report showing men are four times more likely to drown than women. Let’s do all we can this summer to take care of one another and minimise the risks. These are my top ten water safety tips for a happy holiday period: 1. Swimming lessons! Teach children to swim and continue to attend lessons regularly. It may be tempting to drop lessons as life gets busy but until children reach their age related milestones swimming lessons should remain non-negotiable. 2. Avoid alcohol around water. 3. Check for snags and currents before entering inland waterways & rivers. 4. Know your limits and never swim alone, or when intoxicated. 5. Swim at patrolled beaches between the flags and learn how to spot rip currents. 6. Children under 5 should be kept at arms reach at all times at the beach, at the pool, and in every other aquatic environment. Accidents happen very quicky . 7. Fence the pool, check and close all gates and make sure all gates are self-latching. 8. Be aware of other household items which represent a drowning risk, ie eskys, inflatable pools, bathtubs, buckets, fishponds, even pet bowls. Children have drowned in less water than a drink bottle can hold. 9. Make supervision of children the priority around all water – delegate a supervisor at all events with the adults talking turns on rotation. Never assume someone else is watching. 10. Learn how to perform CPR and use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). Drownings remain a risk at home, where we are often most relaxed and assume nothing bad will happen, but we must remain vigilant. Make this weekend the time to check your pool fences and gates and refer to the Royal Life Saving home pool safety checklist to minimise the risks. You can find the checklist at: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/programs/homepool-safety/home-pool-safety-checklist Wishing you a safe summer with your families.

Welcome to summer! The hot weather is here, and with Penrith beach reopening this weekend for the summer season, and many of us planning a coastal getaway soon, it’s time to talk beach safety! No matter whether at a coastal or inland beach, swimming between the flags is rule number 1! The flags mark the areas that are monitored by lifeguards, ensuring that swimmers are in safe zones where potential hazards are minimised, and supervision is guaranteed. Swimming outside the flags, or swimming at beaches without lifeguards or flags can expose you to strong currents, marine life, and unpredictable waves, making swimming in these areas more vulnerable. Look for signs of rips, as rip currents pull swimmers away from the shore, and are particularly dangerous. If caught in a rip, remain calm, float on your back, and swim parallel to the shore until you are free from the current. Always check for flag indicators and signs explaining local safety rules before swimming, especially if unfamiliar with the area. Be careful not to overestimate your physical capability in the water. Always swim within your abilities and never push yourself too far out into deep waters or engage in activities that are beyond your skill level. Use a buddy system when snorkelling and be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you’re unsure about the conditions or your abilities, seek advice from lifeguards or other experienced swimmers. Supervision is crucial. The Australia ocean is a strong and powerful beast, and children of all ages and skill levels are no match for large waves and a strong current. ‘Arms reach at the beach’ is a good mantra to live by these holidays. Even in more still waters, the water depth may suddenly change or drop off, catching children off guard and unprepared. Alcohol and water do not mix, and I’m not talking about diluting your drink of choice! As tempting as it might be to relax with a drink at the beach, consuming alcohol can impair your judgment and reaction time. Swimming under the influence of alcohol increases the risk of accidents, so it’s best to wait until you're out of the water to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, and always have a designated sober person when around water at any time, whether at the beach or by the backyard pool. Alcohol can also increase the risk of dehydration, which is particularly serious when you’ve also been sunburnt. To stay safe, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen with a high SPF, reapplying sunscreen every two hours and after swimming. We've all heard of the famous slip, slop, slap, and it’s scary how much damage the midday Aussie sun can do in just a short time. Hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing, such as rash vests, are also helpful for minimising sun exposure, as is avoiding the sun during its peak hours, typically between 10am and 4pm. With these tips in mind, we can all enjoy our coastline and inland beaches while keeping yourself and others safer!

This year has certainly been challenging in terms of the continuing rise in the cost of living, making the lead up to Christmas an anxious time for many households. All of these circumstances have me questioning if we really need all the extra purchases that usually accompany this time of year, and if the type of presents we are giving need to be rethought? For me, this Christmas needs to be a stress free event, less about multiple or large presents under the tree, and all about time spent with loved ones. It is very important this year that the gifts I exchange with family are meaningful, not whatever I could grab during my usual last minute dash to Westfields in the weekend before the big day. A gift that will not end up discarded by new year’s day. A gift that won’t be stashed in a cupboard or in my next council collection. A gift that will make a difference and bring joy to the recipient. A gift that will promote long lasting confidence, skills or a memorable experience. With over half of Aussie kids currently not attending swimming lessons, denying them the basic skills needed to safely experience all of the aquatic activities on offer in the Australian summertime, what could be a better gift than swimming lessons? Swimming lessons are a gift that require no storage space, promote health, physical activity and safety, are fun, and teach a skill that will last a lifetime. Alan Bentley, owner of Nepean Swim and Fitness agreed. “Many children missed out on time in the water during the pandemic, and we are still seeing the effects to this day, with less Aussie kids currently in swimming lessons than in previous years. However, the dangers of the water remain, so gifting swimming lessons for Christmas is both a thoughtful and practical gift. Adults who are unable to swim may also request swimming lessons for Christmas to help them to set and reach the goal of learning to swim in 2024”. Our gift vouchers can be used for any of our programs and are available from reception. Contact us on 4730 8900 to arrange a gift voucher or suggest a Gift Voucher to grandparents or family here or even overseas! Happy shopping! Alternatively, our partnership with local company Prezentbox makes gift giving even easier this Christmas. We all know how quickly the cost of kids' activities can add up, especially when you're juggling swimming lessons and all their other passions. PrezentBox provides a way way to turn all those unwanted presents into experiences your child truly loves. With PrezentBox, family and friends can easily contribute to your child’s activities, whether it's for birthdays Christmas or birthdays ,or even setting up an all-year-round activity fund. If you use the code below to set up a free Prezentbox account you will also receive $10 to spend with us at Nepean Aquatic Centre or Eva Bory’s Swim School – Merry Christmas! https://prezentbox.com.au/?mwr=67b3837

Water Safety Myths and Misconceptions

As we head towards the silly season I wanted to remind parents of all the benefits of Learn To Swim, and why it is important to swim all year round alongside any other sports and activities in our busy family schedules! Learning to swim is an activity that offers numerous benefits for children beyond simply staying safe in water. From physical health to mental well-being, swimming provides a holistic approach to a child's development in a way that no other sport or activity can match. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise that engages the entire body, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and enhancing flexibility. Swimming is low-impact, making it suitable for children of all ages and fitness levels, and regular swimming sessions can help combat childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle from an early age. The most obvious benefit of learning to swim is water safety. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in children of all ages, and teaching kids how to swim reduces the risk significantly. Knowing how to float, tread water, and perform basic strokes can save lives in emergency situations. Moreover, understanding water safety rules instils confidence and promotes responsible behaviour around water. Learning to swim empowers children and boosts their self-confidence. Overcoming the initial fear of water and mastering new skills gives them a sense of achievement. As children progress in their swimming abilities, they gain confidence not only in the pool but also in other areas of their lives. This newfound confidence can translate into improved social interactions, academic performance, and overall well-being! Learn to Swim lessons are often a child’s very first structured activity. Swimming has therapeutic effects on children's emotional well-being. The soothing nature of water calms their minds and reduces stress and anxiety. Swimming releases endorphins and also provides an outlet for pent-up energy and emotions, helping children regulate their emotions more effectively. Plus, swimming lessons provide opportunities for children to socialise and make new friends! Swimming is a life skill that opens up a world of opportunities for children. It enables them to participate in water-based activities such as snorkelling, surfing, and kayaking. Strong swimming skills can lead to future endeavors such as lifeguarding, competitive swimming, or even careers in aquatic sports – we have lots of junior employees whose first job is with us! By introducing children to swimming at an early age and allowing children to consistently swim all year round, parents provide their children with a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life both in and out of the water. On the flip side, a break from lessons often leads to skill regression, undoing some of the progress made prior to time out of the water. See you soon at the pool!

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