Aboriginal children in Tasmania are taking to swimming pools in unprecedented numbers thanks to an Australian Sports Commission-funded Indigenous sport initiative.

Since 2005 more than 300 Aboriginal children across Tasmania have participated in swimming activities aimed at introducing them to the most basic of swimming skills, including submerging their heads and water safety.

The six-week course for children aged between 5 and 14 years has been so successful that repeat participants will soon be assessed for introduction to more advanced work in stroke development and correct breathing techniques, with the long-term aim of introducing graduates to mainstream swimming clubs.

Garry Maynard, an Indigenous Sport Development Officer based in Hobart, coordinates the Tasmanian swimming program and said that its success is due to a number of factors, including:

• overcoming cultural barriers and ‘shyness’ by coaching children in groups instead of individually
• using fully accredited and experienced swim teachers
• using emails to get widespread awareness of the program across schools and Tasmanian Aboriginal community-based organisations
• working in partnership with Swimming Tasmania and Sport and Recreation Tasmania to ensure industry support.