Lessons teach water safety

Siblings Kaleb, 8, and Searra, 10, show their swimming skills with pool noodles. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 452451_09

Kids are making a splash at Melton Waves as local families make the most of a state government program providing affordable swimming lessons.

As part of VICSWIM program, families can access five 30-minute lessons for children aged four to 12, for $35.

Janti Whitty’s kids Searra, 10, and Kaleb, 8, are among those enrolled in the program.

Ms Whitty said she signed them up for lessons to help keep them safe around water.

“It’s very important because if you go out with your family where there is water, when they swim, you know they are safe,” she said.

“Swimming is a very healthy sport, so it’s not just for them to be safe but to be healthy as well.”

VICSWIM teacher Mark Barraclough said the lessons were designed to teach kids what to do if the fall into the pool.

“There’s too many drownings in Victoria, so we’ve gotta make sure that everybody can swim,” he said.