A new UniActive program is aiming to combat drowning statistics from people born overseas.
Drowning deaths in Australia 2013-2023
A report from the Royal Life Saving Authority show that 34% of all drowning deaths in Australia between 2013 to 2023 are people born overseas.
UniActive Aquatics Operations Officer Jack McCarthy has introduced an international swim school to help combat these statistics by providing an essential skill to foreign exchange students.
“We have a lot of international students that come to Wollongong and a lot of people that come to the pool that are interested in swimming,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Some people grow up in countries that are not as fortunate as us and part of the initiative is to make sure that these people that visit Australia and the students of UOW can have a safe time in the water and learn a new skill.”
Drowning deaths during the summer period
A recent report from the RLSA has shown that drowning deaths this summer have increased from the previous two years, nearly reaching the peak set by 2022 when statistics spiked after Australia reopened its borders.
A number of factors has been contributing to this steadily rising statistic, with data showing that 31% of schools in Australia no longer offer learn-to-swim programs and 25% of schools no longer hold swimming carnivals.
“Families have to look at things and think ‘what do we prioritise?’ and sometimes [swimming lessons] are gonna take a back-burner,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Working here, we have carnivals every year and the numbers get smaller and smaller.
“It does sort of feel like Australia is losing that national identity.”
UniActive also offer swim school programs for kids and adults and is taking strides to teach as many people as possible how to swim.
If international students are interested in learning how to swim, they should enquire at the swim school desk in building 13.