‘Kids learn to surf in state that prides itself on coastline’: Swim educators hit back at ocean ban

Sensible precaution or nanny-state overreaction? Surf Life Saving SA has slammed a decision to ban schoolkids from ocean-based swimming programs due to the risk of sharks.

Young mates Zac, Jack, Harry and Hugo have some out-of-school beach fun at Henley. Picture: Emma Brasier

Kids have been pulled from the surf for the rest of the school term in the wake of a spate of shark attacks, in a move that has angered Surf Life Saving SA.

But a review ordered on Monday could result in some activities resuming.

Damien Marangon, who is chief executive of the state-based water safety educator and surf rescue provider, says the move will put kids’ lives at risk and make them unnecessarily scared of the water.

“I’ve today written to the Education Minister (Blair Boyer) to express SLSSA’s deep concerns … there will be no aquatic activities in the sea for the remainder of Term 4,” he said.

“We are forecast to have one of the hottest summers that we have ever had … children are going to be deprived of water safety education that actually could be the thing that keeps them safe this summer.”

TELL US WHY IN THE COMMENTS

A series of “curriculum-based lessons” for schoolchildren are run out of the Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre which focus on surf education and swimming in the early primary years and aquatics and water safety sessions for students from year 6.

The decision to ban ocean-based activities, including swimming, snorkelling and surfing, comes just days after 32-year-old Bridgette O’Shannessy was bitten on her face by a shark at Port Noarlunga.

Bridgette O'Shannessy is taken from the beach at Port Noarlunga after being bitten on the face by a shark. Picture: 7NEWS

Port Noarlunga shark attack victim Bridgette O'Shannessy. Picture: Facebook

SLSSA provided figures showing almost 4000 students from 47 schools are booked in for its programs, which typically run across five sessions, planned for the rest this term.

“Withdrawing these aquatic ocean sessions, which have been safely run for decades, will not only jeopardise children’s future safety but it promotes a fear of the ocean,” Marangon said.

The concerns are echoed by school camp provider Wilderness Escape Outdoor Adventures, also impacted by the new state-wide ban.

Business manager Stacey Muchamore said excited school students were preparing to enter the water on Monday when they had to be stopped, when the directive was received.

“Students were literally on the beach about to walk into the water in locations that are protected when they were told to stop … that they couldn’t do what they’d been looking forward to doing.

“To us feels like a knee-jerk reaction … while shark attacks are obviously a tragic event, the circumstances in terms of location and depth of water compared to what is happening for aquatic programs run for school groups, is vastly different

“We will do everything we can to ensure students still have a great camp but there will definitely be activities that are going to be missed … surfing for example; not everyone gets exposed to surfing, the fact we live in a state that prides itself on its coastline students are very lucky to have the opportunity to experience these different types of activities.”

Kidman Park mum Sally Gee said she believed the blanket ban was disappointing, saying she understood if a particular family felt uncomfortable with their child taking part.

“Kids need to be kids ... the shark attacks are horrible tragedies but we want our kids trying fun new things in a safe, supervised setting – my son, Zac in year 6, has loved the program at Port Noarlunga,” she said.

A man is seen paddle boarding at Port Noarlunga Beach where a woman has reportedly bitten on the face by a shark on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Education Department chief executive Martin Westwell initially stood firm on Monday.

“The events of Friday (the Port Noarlunga shark attack) were witnessed by a number of students, which was understandably distressing … the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff are always the number one priority,” he said.

“Every attempt will be made for the students to continue their water activities at alternative sites, such as nearby lakes, rivers and inland waterways so that no students will miss out.”

He said a range of stakeholders would be consulted before the reintroduction of ocean activities in 2024 was considered.

But after the state government announced aerial shark patrols on highest-risk beaches would start two weeks early this Saturday, Professor Westwell changed his stance.

“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.

A southern suburbs parent said her school advised families late Friday the program at Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre would be modified with snorkelling canned and stand-up paddle-boarding moved to the Port River.

She said it came as a relief to many people who were feeling anxious ahead of this week’s planned activities at Port Noarlunga.

Meanwhile, aerial shark patrols on South Australia’s highest risk beaches will start two weeks ahead of schedule, this Saturday, the government has announced.