Drownings: Calls for swimming lessons to become part of school curriculum, as private lesson prices soar

A GENERATION of Aussie kids are in danger of growing up without adequate swimming skills because the sport is being squeezed out of school curriculums.

A generation of Aussie kids are in danger of growing up without adequate swimming skills because the sport is being squeezed out of school curriculums. Picture: Facebook

• Toddler drowns after pulled from backyard pool
• Drowning victim’s mum has ‘run out of tears’

A GENERATION of Aussie kids are in danger of growing up without adequate swimming skills because the sport is being squeezed out of school curriculums and the price of private lessons is going through the roof.

With NSW in the grip of a drowning epidemic — 225 deaths and near drownings in the past two months — life savers say schools must make swimming a central part of the curriculum again to prevent more tragedies.

There were 214 deaths or near drownings during the same two-month period in 2015.

An elderly fisherman became the 19th person in NSW to drown or die while in the water since Christmas Day, after his body was found today.

The “avid fisherman” went missing in Bewong, on the state’s south coast, last night and after a search, his body was found just after 8am today in Bewong Creek, south of Nowra.

The fisherman, who was possibly thrown overboard, was not believed to have been wearing a life jacket at the time, police said.

This tragedy comes after former Family Court judge Richard Gee was found dead in his backyard pool at his home in Belrose on Monday. He could not be revived.

Former judge, Richard Gee, pictured right, was found dead in his pool at Belrose. Picture: Sunday Night/Channel 7

Police at the home of the former judge. Picture: Bill Hearne

“Swimming used to be something that occupied a big chunk of the syllabus but what we are seeing now is a whole range of other sports take up that curriculum time,” Royal Life Saving NSW operations manager Michael Ilinsky said.

“It may be that we are bringing up a generation who will not have the basic skills in life when it comes to aquatic pursuits — that could be boating, surfing, swimming or snorkelling. It’s something we need to strongly consider.”

The cost of swimming lessons is prohibitively expensive for many families, with some privately-run pools in Sydney charging up to $17 a lesson for school-aged kids.  

Opposition sports spokesman Lynda Voltz demanded the state government protect all public swimming pools so all families have access to ­affordable lessons. Parramatta pool will be demolished at the end of summer to make way for the new Parramatta Stadium.

RELATED: BOTH TWINS DIE IN HOSPITAL AFTER DROWNING

Sports minister Stuart Ayres, pictured left, said the government is supporting plans for a new pool at Parramatta. Picture: Toby Zerna

Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said the government is supporting plans for a new Parramatta pool and insisted significant funding is being ploughed into school swimming programs.

Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said the state’s heart has been “broken” by the recent spate of drownings but stopped short of guaranteeing more funding for water safety initiatives.

He urged families to take greater responsibility around pools and beaches.

The NSW Ambulance Service made a heartfelt plea for families to be more vigilant after two-year-old Vera Peacock drowned in a backyard pool in Macquarie Fields on New Year’s Day.

Garnet Williams is the latest victim who died after being found unresponsive at the Kolora Lake Reserve at Yamba on Friday.

Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott said the state’s heart has been broken after the spate of drownings. Picture: Phillip Rogers

Meanwhile, family and friends have paid tribute to Garnet Williams who drowned at Yamba in northern NSW last Friday.

The loveable, always laughing 46-year-old was swimming at the Kolora Lake reserve when he was pulled from the water unresponsive and could not be revived.

PARENTS OF TRAGIC TWIN DROWNING SEEKS LEGACY

THE heartbroken parents of toddlers who died after a tragic backyard drowning have selflessly urged people to donate to the hospital that cared for their twins as they finalise plans to lay the siblings to rest on Friday.

Parents Fleur and Robert Manago spent 10 “horrific” days at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead with twins Robbie and Charli and have now asked the community to honour them with a memorial fundraiser.

TO DONATE CLICK HERE

Charli and Robbie’s parents are finalising plans to farewell their baby’s. Picture: Facebook