Scarcity of public swimming pools throughout regional WA pushing youngsters out of swimming classes

Parents in Western Australia’s south-west say they’re struggling to get their kids into swimming classes, blaming lengthy waitlists and an absence of pool infrastructure.

It comes as new information reveals a 30 per cent enhance in drowning deaths in WA during the last 10 years.

Kate Cutler from Dalyellup, 180 kilometres south of Perth, stated her two kids had been on a waitlist at her nearest public pool within the City of Bunbury for 11 months.

Ms Cutler stated she enquired in regards to the waitlist size and was informed there have been a whole lot of kids ready for classes.

She stated not having the ability to entry classes was greater than irritating.

The ABC has contacted The City of Bunbury for the newest information on swimming lesson waitlists.

“It’s infuriating and scary … I don’t have the skill set to teach my two-year-old what to do if he falls into a pool,” Ms Cutler stated.

“We’re doing private lessons now, which is about double the price.”

The neighbouring City of Busselton stated it was widespread for households from close by areas corresponding to Margaret River, Dunsborough and Yallingup to journey to its facility so as to entry swimming classes.

The City stated it had 700 present enrolments with one other 31 on its waitlist.

Demand for personal classes

In response to the shortage of availability for swimming classes in public swimming pools, some individuals are turning to non-public swim faculties.

In Busselton, Liz Fowler runs a personal swimming faculty with 400 college students.

She stated regardless of using a number of academics, she had elevated the variety of courses she taught every week to fulfill demand.

“I used to teach twice a week, now I teach eight lessons a week,” Ms Fowler stated.

Heidi Breeyt opened a personal swimming faculty at her residence in close by Australind in June.

Ms Breeyt has reached her 80-person capability, however nonetheless receives “at least three inquiries from parents” on daily basis.

“It’s quite sad … people are becoming quite desperate,” Ms Breeyt stated.

“I have kids coming from Busselton and Harvey … There is a need for more swim schools.”

Peak Body Concern

Royal Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report reveals 49 drowning deaths in WA over 2024-25.

Royal Surf Lifesaving WA chief govt Peter Leaversuch stated the nationwide drowning report highlighted the disparity between regional and metropolitan swimming abilities.

He stated the ability hole was widening as a result of accessibility, with inside regional West Australians 1.26 instances extra prone to drown in comparison with folks in metropolitan areas.

Mr Leaversuch stated the variety of aquatic services in WA had remained “relatively static”, whereas the inhabitants continued to develop.

“We’ve gone backward in that regard,” Mr Leaversuch stated.

“It is concerning to us that in some parts, we have a real demand that isn’t being met, and action is required there.”

Calls for funding

Mr Leaversuch stated communities wanted to plan forward to curb the issue.

“We need to long-term plan out where we have safe places to swim … whether that’s a pool … or local coastline … we have to find a way,” Mr Leaversuch stated.

Investment in constructing new swimming swimming pools was additionally recognized as an answer, a sentiment echoed by personal swim faculty homeowners.

“It’s a shame it’s such an expense, but it is an expense that is for the better of the community,” Ms Fowler stated.

“These statistics are by no means going to get higher.