Bluefit Swimming: Free classes for Sunshine Coast babies

Sunshine Coast tots will have a chance to splash around for free with a swimming program encouraging parents to focus on the essential life skill amid the latest spate of drownings.

Toddlers receiving free swimming lessons from Bluefit Swimming at the Cotton Tree pool. Pictured, Hannah Searle with 11 month old Melia Head. Photo: Patrick Woods.

An educational swimming program is offering free lessons for Sunshine Coast infants after a shocking rate of drownings in the latest summer season

Bluefit Swimming is hosting its free classes at aquatic centres in Beerwah, Buderim, Coolum, Cotton Tree, Eumundi and Palmwoods to encourage parents to continue educating their bubs in the Autumn and Winter.

Toddlers receiving free swimming lessons from Bluefit Swimming at the Cotton Tree pool. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Toddlers receiving free swimming lessons from Bluefit Swimming at the Cotton Tree pool. Pictured, Derek Sanders and young Sierra. Photo: Patrick Woods.

The sensory-based program Splash Time encourages parents to join their children in the water guided by instructors to develop “parental aquatic skills” and “experience in handling a baby in water,” a Bluefit release stated.

The program comes after Royal Life Saving Australia recorded 99 drowning deaths across Australia in the 2023/2024 summertime, a 10 per cent increase to the same time in the year prior.

Each commitment-free session lasts about half an hour with one parent per baby in the water at a time and each class has 16 slots available.

The program aims to instil confidence and make the bubs feel assured, safe and supported in the water.

The release states splashing in the water helps babies build and strengthen coordination, balance and muscle in a “social aquatic ‘playgroup’ environment”.