Over 500 Victorian Kids to Take Part in Open Water Swim This Weekend
From Pool to Ocean for Life-Saving Skills
This weekend, over 500 kids will be taking their swimming skills from the pool to the open water, as part of an event organised by Paul Sadler Swimland. The aim is to guide young swimmers to safely transition from the calm, controlled environment of the pool to the unpredictable and challenging conditions of the ocean—an essential step in water safety.
The importance of swimming lessons sadly becomes evident every summer here in Australia, with drowning remaining one of the leading causes of accidental death for children under five. Since the start of summer (1stDecember 2024) 95 lives of both children and adults have already been lost to drowning, highlighting just how critical it is for kids to not only learn to swim in a pool but also to develop the skills necessary to handle the unique challenges posed by open water.
While pool swimming teaches the basics, the ocean presents an entirely different set of challenges. Waves, currents, seaweed, and murky water all contribute to an environment that even the most confident swimmer might find challenging. That’s why programs like Paul Sadler Swimland’s Open Water Swim are so important.
Why Open Water Skills Matter
According to the Royal Life Saving Association, the distance you can swim in a pool is just 10% of what you could manage in the open surf. For example, a child who can complete a 1km swim in the pool may only be able to swim about 100 meters in the surf. This dramatic difference in conditions means that kids need specific training to safely navigate the open water.
“Open water swims are essential in our program because they help kids transition from the pool, where the environment is controlled, to real-world conditions where they need to read the water, recognise hazards, and adapt quickly,” says Mark Cecil, CEO at Paul Sadler Swimland. “We’re not just teaching swimming; we’re teaching survival skills—skills that are vital for every child’s water safety.”
With more than 500 children expected to take part this year, Paul Sadler Swimland is proud to be leading the way in teaching kids how to swim safer, not just in pools but in open water too. This is an experience every child should have, as it helps them build confidence, understand the risks, and develop the skills they need to stay safe wherever water is involved.
Visit Paul Sadler’s Swimland website to find a centre near you.
Jolene
Jolene enjoys writing, sharing and connecting with other like-minded women online – it also gives her the perfect excuse to ignore Mount-Washmore until it threatens to bury her family in an avalanche of Skylander T-shirts and Frozen Pyjama pants. (No one ever knows where the matching top is!) Likes: Reading, cooking, sketching, dancing (preferably with a Sav Blanc in one hand), social media, and sitting down on a toilet seat that one of her children hasn’t dripped, splashed or sprayed on. Dislikes: Writing pretentious crap about herself in online bio’s and refereeing arguments amongst her offspring.
