National Drowning Prevention Week, held from Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 July, is a timely reminder that water safety is everyone’s responsibility. It’s an opportunity for Australians to reflect on the importance of swimming skills, water confidence – and the role they play in preventing drownings. For families on the Central Coast, water is part of our everyday lifestyle. From beaches and the ocean to backyard pools, rivers and waterways, many of us spend time in and around water year-round. That’s why building strong swimming and water safety skills isn’t just about recreation. It’s about confidence, preparedness and safety.
Drowning Is Preventable
While Australia is known for its strong swimming culture, drowning remains a significant public health issue. According to the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2025, 357 people drowned in Australian waterways over the past year, a figure 27% higher than the 10-year average. The report also found that 43% of drowning deaths occurred in coastal locations, while 34% occurred in inland waterways such as rivers, lakes and dams. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community affected by loss. The good news is that many drowning incidents are preventable through education, supervision, awareness and strong swimming skills.
The Importance of Swimming All Year Round
It’s common for families to pause swimming lessons during winter, but water safety doesn’t take a season off. Swimming is a skill that develops through regular practice and repetition. Consistent participation helps swimmers build confidence, improve technique and strengthen their ability to respond in and around the water. Winter can actually be one of the most valuable times for learning. Without the distractions of a busy summer schedule, swimmers have the opportunity to focus on skill development, reinforce key safety techniques and continue progressing toward important milestones. Put simply, strong swimmers can be built in winter.
A Growing Concern: Declining Swimming Skills
Recent research from Royal Life Saving Australia highlights why ongoing participation matters more than ever. Teachers estimate that 48% of Year 6 students cannot swim 50 metres and tread water for two minutes, which is the national benchmark for their age. The research also found that swimming skills often fail to improve through the high school years, leaving many young Australians at greater risk around water. Royal Life Saving Australia has also reported that drowning rates increase significantly between the ages of 10 and 20, a period when many children discontinue formal swimming lessons before mastering essential survival skills. These findings serve as an important reminder that learning to swim is not something that should stop once a child becomes comfortable in the water. Ongoing practice helps develop the confidence, endurance and decision-making skills needed to stay safe throughout life.
Water Safety Is a Community Responsibility
National Drowning Prevention Week is about more than swimming lessons – it’s about encouraging conversations between parents, carers, grandparents, teachers, coaches and community members about how we can all contribute to safer outcomes around water. Whether it’s supervising children, learning CPR, wearing a life jacket when boating, understanding local water conditions or continuing swimming lessons throughout winter, every action makes a difference. Living on the Central Coast gives us access to some of Australia’s most beautiful waterways – a privledge that also comes with a shared responsibility to ensure we have the skills and knowledge needed to enjoy them safely.
Building Safer Communities, One Lesson at a Time
At One by Mingara, we believe swimming is one of the most valuable life skills a person can learn. Every lesson helps build confidence. Every skill learned increases safety. Every week of practice contributes to a stronger, more capable swimmer. As we recognise National Drowning Prevention Week, we encourage our community to stay committed to learning, improving and staying safe around water.
Click here to explore our Learn to Swim programs and stay on track this winter!