Float to Survive with GOswim
This November, Australia’s leading swim school GOswim has partnered with Bondi Rescue lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins as a part of the country’s largest learn to swim water safety campaign of the year.
The ‘Float to Survive with GOswim’ initiative aims to spread the message on how to stay afloat in emergency aquatic situations ahead of summer, starting with 60,000 GOswim students across Australia.
The campaign comes in response to alarming figures from the 2024 National Drowning Report, which shows drownings have increased by 16% over the past year compared to the 10-year average, reinforcing the need for stronger water safety education across all age groups.
Australian lifeguard and TV personality Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins will deliver this message across the country via a month-long national campaign, visiting aquatic venues in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia to help spread the ‘Float to Survive with GOswim’ message.
Additionally, from November 1-30, 250,000 GOswim lessons in almost 80 locations around Australia, including Tomaree Aquatic Centre will start with five minutes of float training, with a focus on Hoppo’s three-step Float to Survive strategy:
1. Reach your head back to keep your mouth above water
2. Keep your mouth soft / don’t clench
3. Gently rotate your arms and legs in a circle motion
“I’m stoked to have partnered with GOswim to reach tens of thousands of students with this lifesaving message, which is relevant to anyone, in any aquatic situation; whether it is in the surf, creek, river, lake or swimming pool,” Hoppo commented.
“In the lead up to summer, this is a water safety skill that is non-negotiable and I’m excited to get out and about across the country to spread this message to help Aussies learn how to stay safe in the water.”
GOswim is a learn to swim program offered by Belgravia Leisure and Swimming Australia, available at 80 venues across Australia, providing over 2.8 million lessons to over 60,000 GOswim members annually.
Tomaree Aquatic Centre is excited that the Port Stephens community can be a part of this campaign.
“We have over 160 GOswim students here at Tomaree who will benefit from the Float to Survive with GOswim messaging this November. Beyond our students, we are also hoping to spread the word to all Aussies, no matter their age, ability, background or circumstance. Anyone can drown, but no one should and we believe that spreading this message will hands down save lives.”
Royal Life Saving CEO Justin Scarr highlighted the importance of spreading water safety messages such as learning how to float to everyone, no matter their age or background ahead of summer.
“The 2024 National Drowning Report revealed that 92 adults aged 65 or older drowned, the largest number ever, making up 28 per cent of the total drownings for the year. Additionally, 25 per cent of people were born overseas, including refugees, migrants and international students, underscoring the need for water safety skills to be taught to everyone, not just children”.
“Simple yet essential skills like floating can mean the difference between life and death when someone is caught in a rip, struggling in a river, or simply out of their depth in a pool” Scarr added.
With summer just around the corner, the campaign is a timely reminder of the importance of water safety, and GOswim and Hoppo are leading the charge to ensure Australians are better prepared for aquatic emergencies.
About Belgravia Leisure
Formed in 1990, Belgravia Leisure is passionate about connecting communities to leisure. Working in partnership with Government, not-for profit and the commercial sector, Belgravia Leisure has a strong track record of delivering diverse, accessible and affordable health and wellness services across Australia and New Zealand. Currently partnering with more than 70 Local and State Government authorities, Belgravia Leisure adopts an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable approach to operations across all its sites, with a focus on healthy communities today and in the future. Belgravia Leisure employs more than 5,500 staff in 230+ swim, sports, fitness, health and wellness and leisure facilities, and is part of Australian company, Belgravia Group, which also owns Genesis Fitness Clubs, Jump Swim School, Belgravia Kids, Coaching Zone and Ninja Parc.