Swim teacher Roseanne Hogan ‘110%’ supports mandatory swimming lessons in QLD schools
An award-winning swimming teacher says mandatory lessons in schools are a must, after witnessing “too many” pre teens terrified of the water.
Toowoomba
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An award-winning swim teacher has said it was frightening the number of pre-teen children across the Darling Downs who do not know how to be safe around water.
Roseanne Hogan was recently named the 2022 ASCTA QLD learn to swim teacher of the year and said she wanted to use her platform to push the topic of water safety across Toowoomba.
“We see kids around 12 or older who have never been in water,” she said.
“They are frightened, they are scared and they have no water awareness.
“There’s enough (unexperienced kids in our region) to notice, especially when they’re clinging to you terrified … that’s not good enough.”
Trained by Laurie Lawrence, Ms Hogan said she “110 per cent” supports the push to make swimming lessons mandatory in primary schools.
The campaign comes after Surf Life Saving Australia revealed 141 people drowned at Australian beaches in 2021-22, the highest number of deaths since records began in July 2004.
“We have waterholes around Toowoomba and the amount of kids that don’t have much experience or knowledge of water safety is scary,” she said.
“This (campaign) is absolutely so important. Water safety especially need to be across the board.
“Swimming lessons and swimming safety to me are very different.
“If we can teach these kids even just water awareness …. I’m happy because at least they know what to do if they have fallen into water.”
Besides being a qualified Swim Australia Teacher and pool lifeguard, Ms Hogan is certified to teach babies, toddlers, and those living with disabilities.
While she said there was a long waiting list for lessons, Ms Hogan believes having a mandatory push for schools would heap ease the pressure on instructors.
“I want to use this time (from the award) to get the attention of parents and schools … the safety message needs to be clearer and louder,” she said.
“We need to keep kids safe around water.
“Like sexual education classes in schools, there needs to be conversations in the classrooms, away from the water, about water safety.
“Maybe then they will listen more instead of getting distracted by the water.”
Former Olympian and fellow Toowoomba coach Darren Lange told The Chronicle children were falling between the cracks as the allocated time for school swimming programs have shrunk over the years.
He agreed lessons needed to be accessible for all, and Australian children needed to learn the lifesaving skills.
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