Tayla Walker, Charli Fennell and Cameron Shanks.
Camera IconTayla Walker, Charli Fennell and Cameron Shanks. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d450153

School swimming lessons in the ocean

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

Yanchep District High School’s junior classes spent two weeks in February learning swimming skills at Yanchep Lagoon.

Deputy principal Delva Russell said the classes paired up for two weeks of lessons, with Year 6 students helping Year 1, Year 5 with Year 2 and Years 3 and 4 together.

School council chairman Rik Fennell said the school community voted to have swimming lessons at the beach a few years ago to cater for local families.

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“We voted on that because our kids live in the area,” he said.

“They don’t go swimming at the local pool because we don’t have one; they go swimming at the lagoon.

“Even if we had a pool in the area, I would still suggest that the kids swim at the beach – that’s where you see them in the school holidays.”

Mr Fennell said although there was a push for a swimming pool a few years ago when jelly fish numbers were high, there were more benefits in beach swimming lessons.

“It’s the little things they learn by experience,” he said. “Even with jelly fish stingers, the kids get hurt but they learn how to deal with it.”