Every parent wants their child to feel confident, capable and safe around water, especially in Australia, where beaches, rivers, pools and water play are part of everyday life. But new research from Royal Life Saving Australia is sounding an urgent alarm. Drowning risk does not just affect little kids. It skyrockets as children grow into teenagers.

In fact, the risk of drowning increases thirteenfold between the ages of 10 and 20. That's right, it is thirteen times higher.

This significant rise is happening at exactly the same time many children are leaving formal swimming lessons behind. Which is why choosing a high-quality swim school, one that focuses on long-term skills, confidence and technique, has never been more important.

The Hidden Drowning Risk: Why Older Kids Need Lessons Just as Much as Toddlers

While 60 per cent of children in Australia begin swimming lessons before age three, most stop by age seven. On the surface, it makes sense. Kids often become comfortable in the water, and families move on to other activities or feel they have done enough.

But comfort is not the same as capability.

Royal Life Saving data shows:

• More than half of 10-year-olds cannot swim 50 metres

• Forty per cent of 15-year-olds cannot swim 50 metres and may never learn

• Over 10 million swimming lessons were missed during the pandemic, and now those children are reaching their teens, lacking critical skills

• Drowning among 15 to 20-year-olds has increased 34 per cent since 202

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable because of:

• Unsupervised swimming with friends

• Rivers and beaches with strong currents

• Risk-taking and peer pressure

• Jumping off rocks, jetties or boats

• Lack of strong survival skills

The message from safety experts is clear. Learning to swim as a toddler is not enough. Kids need strong, refreshed skills before they enter the high-risk teenage years.

Why Carlile Swim School: Because They Teach More Than Swimming

Carlile Swim School is recognised as one of Australia’s leading swim schools, not just for teaching children how to swim, but for teaching them to swim well, with a strong focus on technique, survival skills and deep-water confidence. Unlike many swim schools that taper off after the early years, Carlile supports kids through the crucial ages of seven to ten and beyond with structured stroke development and endurance programs. These are the years experts say are essential for building lasting skills before the higher-risk teenage stage.

Parents also trust Carlile for its expert teachers, consistent instruction and welcoming, family-focused environment. Children progress quickly, stay engaged and develop strong foundations because the program blends fun with thoughtful progression. With supportive class sizes and teachers who genuinely connect with their students, Carlile helps children become confident, capable and safe swimmers for life.

Why Re-Enrolling at Age Eight to Ten Is Critical

Royal Life Saving is urging parents to give their children a second dose of lessons by age 10 or earlier because this is the age when:

• Strength and endurance quickly improve

• Kids can consolidate stroke technique

• Safety knowledge becomes meaningful

• Confidence in unpredictable water conditions becomes essential

They have created a simple checklist for parents of 10-year-olds.

Can your child swim 50 metres confidently?
Can they float for two minutes?
Could they get themselves to safety if they fell from rocks or a boat?
Could they swim 50 to 100 metres if they needed to?
Would they know what to do if caught in a current?

If the answer to any of these questions is no or even not sure, your child would benefit from lessons, and Carlile Swim School is one of the best places to build these skills.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Five years after 10 million lessons were missed due to the pandemic, those children are now teenagers. They are swimming with friends, visiting beaches, attending parties near water and making independent decisions.

Without strong skills, this stage of life can be dangerous.

The good news is that it is not too late to close the skill gap.

Carlile Swim School offers programs that rebuild confidence, strengthen technique and prepare children for real-world water situations.

A Lifelong Gift of Safety, Confidence and Skill

Swimming is more than a sport. It is a survival skill, a confidence builder and a lifelong protective factor.

Choosing a program like Carlile Swim School gives your child:

• The skills to stay safe

• The confidence to make smart decisions

• The strength and technique to handle real water conditions

• The ability to enjoy Australia’s water-loving lifestyle as they grow

Most importantly, you help protect them during the years when drowning risk is at its peak.

Enrolling, whether continuing lessons or returning after a break, may be one of the most important decisions you make for your child’s safety.

To find a Carlile Swim School near you, visit Carlile Swim. 

More Water Spots to Try

If your family loves a water adventure, there are even more places around Sydney to explore. Spend time exploring Sydney's best beaches, while the day away along the scenic stretches of the Royal National Park Beaches, unwind under the trees at Sydney Beaches with Shade, or explore the upgraded Lake Parramatta. Sydney's coastline and waterways offer something special for every kind of family outing.

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