Education Department reviews decision to ban school kids from ocean

There has been widespread opposition to the government’s decision to ban swimming lessons following a shark attack last Friday..

Young families are encouraging schools to revoke a decision to ban kids from ocean-based surfing and swimming sessions, following the recent shark attack at Port Noarlunga.

On Monday, the Education Department justified its decision to ban ocean-swimming lessons as a necessary precaution after a shark attacked 32-year-old Bridgette O’Shannessy last Friday.

However, now their decision might be reversed because various ocean safety measures are being brought forward this year.

Seaford Rise mother-of-two Gabrielle Lewis, 31, said she wanted the decision revoked highlighting the importance of children learning how to be safe in the water.

“Some children don’t have access to swimming lessons and they really rely on (school programs),” Ms Lewis said.

“Kids need to learn, that’s the whole point of it.”

Ms Lewis said her two children, Elsie, 10, and Lincoln, 7, were very disappointed to hear their aquatics lessons had been cancelled.

Elsie Lewis (10) with her brother Lincoln Lewis (7) with their dog Marmalade on the beach at Port Noarlunga. Picture by Kelly Barnes

“It was disappointing … it makes me feel annoyed,” Elsie said.

The 10-year-old told The Advertiser their lessons at the beginning of the year were “amazing”.

“I’d really been looking forward to it,” she said.

Lincoln said he was sad to hear the lessons had been cancelled because he enjoyed the water activities.

“It made me feel sad … I wanted to swim,” he said.

“It (the session at the beginning of the year) was fun because I got to learn how to surf and swim.”

Schoolchildren enjoying a day out on the beach. Picture: Emma Brasier

Surf Life Saving SA said the ban has disrupted plans for 47 schools, and almost 4000 students’ plans for the rest of the term.

Plans for a review were put forward in a statement made by Education Department chief executive Professor Martin Westwell.

“In light of the early introduction of shark patrols and other risk mitigation announced today by the government, the department will review what activities in the ocean can be resumed,” he said.

The review will give the Education Department a chance to redress the backlash they faced from Surf Life Saving SA, schools, parents and the opposition.

Education Department chief executive Martin Westwell. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Surf Life Saving SA chief executive Damien Marangon welcomed the review to reverse the ban saying the decision was “made without consultation and in isolation”.

“We are hopeful that the program can resume again as quickly as possible,” he said.

Opposition leader David Speirs called the ban “absolutely ridiculous” during a press conference on Tuesday calling it the actions of “the cold arm of bureaucracy reaching into our lives, perpetuating a nanny state”.

“Shark attacks are incredibly rare and we don’t want a situation where anyone’s attacked by a shark,” Mr Speirs said.

“But at the end of the day, denying young people the opportunity to learn about water safety and aquatic skills puts them more at risk in the summer months and will inevitably result in an increase in risk when they’re out in the water.”

In the meantime, the state government will bring forward aerial shark patrol by two weeks.

Instead of starting in the first week of December, beachgoers will see patrols as early as this Saturday, November 18.

The shark patrol aircraft will travel between North Haven to Rapid Bay, and along Victor Harbour and Murray Mouth.

Additionally, patrols will extend their coverage over metropolitan beaches to the south coast on weekends, school and public holidays up until Easter.