Swimming proficiency is on the decline in Australia, with nearly 50% of Year 6 students unable to swim 50 meters or stay afloat for two minutes, which are the basic water safety benchmarks for their age group.
Bernadette Matthews, the head of research, evaluation, and insights at Life Saving Victoria, expressed concern over this alarming trend. She highlights that reduced participation in school swimming programs and fewer enrollments in private lessons are significant factors contributing to this issue, ultimately jeopardizing lives.
“Swimming should not merely be regarded as a sport; it is fundamentally a survival skill,” Dr. Matthews emphasized. She also pointed out that swimming is an excellent activity for enjoyment and fitness.
So, what is the ideal age for children to begin swimming lessons, and how long should they continue? Additionally, what alternatives exist for families unable to enroll their children in lessons?
Many swimming schools provide lessons for children as young as six months. Amy Peden, a drowning prevention researcher at UNSW, noted that parents often feel compelled to enroll their children in lessons as soon as possible. While early lessons can be beneficial—helping children acclimate to water and fostering bonding with caregivers—research indicates that children typically don’t develop basic aquatic skills and confidence until they are around four years old, regardless of when they start lessons.
Dr. Peden cautioned against expecting infants to swim or respond appropriately in emergencies. “If you can afford swimming lessons from six months, that’s great. However, my concern is that either the financial support or interest may wane—whether from parents or children,” she remarked. “Many families start lessons early but may run out of funds or find their children lose interest and switch to other sports instead.”
She suggests that families can engage in various activities outside formal lessons to ensure children feel comfortable in the water and understand safety practices. “Join them in the water, helping them feel at ease with submerging their heads,” she said. This can allow parents to save for lessons when their children are at a more suitable age to retain swimming skills. “Some children are ready at three, while others may be better suited at six; it all depends on their physical, mental, and emotional development.”
Data shows that many children discontinue swimming lessons around the age of eight, often due to financial constraints or a lack of interest, according to Dr. Matthews. She emphasizes the importance of continuing lessons into early adolescence to further develop swimming abilities and water safety. “Kids must keep progressing beyond basic strokes into more advanced skills, especially in open-water settings,” she stated.
Dr. Peden pointed out that parents frequently misjudge their child’s swimming capabilities, which can lead to an underestimation of drowning risks. “Advancements from one level to another in classes don’t necessarily equate to real-world competence,” she explained. The experience of swimming in a comfortably heated pool with an instructor is vastly different from navigating natural bodies of water or encountering an accidental fall into a pool.
Learning to swim encompasses more than just technique; it also involves understanding and awareness. “Children need to grasp when and how to apply their skills and possess knowledge of water safety—such as how to call for help and perform rescues without endangering themselves,” Dr. Peden added.
To evaluate whether a child is ready for swimming lessons, Dr. Peden recommends comparing their skills against national swimming and water safety benchmarks. For instance, by age 12, a child should be able to swim continuously for 50 meters and perform a non-swimming rescue using non-rigid aids. “These are merely minimum standards,” she cautioned.
Dr. Matthews reinforced that consistent engagement in aquatic activities, whether structured or informal, is essential for children to build and refine their skills.
If formal swimming lessons are not feasible due to accessibility issues—such as living in a region with limited pool availability—Dr. Peden suggests starting with water familiarization. “Any activity in the water is beneficial,” she stated. If on holiday, families can visit local rivers or pools and discuss safety practices with their children.
If regular lessons are unattainable, Dr. Peden recommends intensive holiday programs, as children often make significant progress with daily practice. Dr. Matthews advises parents to inquire about swimming programs at their child’s school and explore local aquatic facilities for available services. “There may also be subsidies or financial aid options through community organizations,” she noted.
Additionally, she encourages teaching children about water safety through educational resources. “Life Saving Victoria offers various programs and online games that guide children through different aquatic scenarios,” Matthews concluded.
