Save our schoolkids: Cairns children to start swimming lessons as soon as possible

Inge Blackmore took all four of her grandchildren to swimming lessons from the age of six months old to ensure they had the ability to survive in the water.

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EAMON Blackmore was six months old when his grandmother Inge Blackmore took him to his first swimming lesson.

Five years on, he is now equipped with the essential swimming skills to keep himself afloat and make it to the edge of the pool if he needs to, thanks to the dedication of his grandmother.

Eamon Blackmore, 5, gets a swimming lesson from Kaname Woodfield at C-Me Swim swimming school, Edge Hill. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

“All four of my grandkids started at six months old, and I took them to their lessons because up here in Cairns, in particular, you have to learn how to swim,” Mrs Blackmore said.

Eamon’s swim coach and C-Me Swim owner Hayley Williams said more caregivers needed to expose children to water sooner.

“We need to get our children in the water as soon as possible,” she said.

“We recommend kids start swimming lessons from four months onwards.”

Originally published as Save our schoolkids: Cairns children to start swimming lessons as soon as possible