Pools booked out for summer after horror drowning toll

SWIMMING schools have been booked out following a horror summer of drownings last year, prompting calls to increase classes in public pools.

• Girl, 4, drowns in bath at home in West Hoxton
• Toddler drowns after being pulled from pool in Macquarie Fields

SWIMMING schools have been booked out following a horror summer of drownings last year, prompting calls to increase classes in public pools.

Instructors say the state government should consider more financial assistance to help swim schools put on extra staff and increase class sizes.

One-year-old Madison Hunwick takes swimming lessons at the Duck and Dive North Shore Baby Swim Centre. Swim schools are increasingly booking out. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“That would help,” said Barbara Walsh, whose swim school Duck and Dive is full.

The Royal Life Saving Society says there were 93 recorded drowning deaths in NSW in 2016-17.

Sydney parents are desperate to get their young children swimming following the shock toll. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Billie Cramp in the water. NSW has had a shocking summer for drownings. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said a record amount was being spent on water safety education to reduce the toll.

Opposition sport spokeswoman Lynday Voltz said the issue for parents was that “our pools are at capacity — with many public pools having been closed down”.