By 31 January 2023, there had already been 52 drowning deaths this summer in Australia, with 35% of deaths occurring in inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, lakes and dams.

A study by Royal Life Saving Australia has shown than 1.7 million kids are enrolled in Learn to Swim lessons, which is a 20% increase on pre- pandemic enrolments.

However, there are concerns surrounding the missed lessons in 7-12 year old children - with fears at least 100,000 children in late primary school years are unlikely to return to lessons before high school.

Coonamble AUST SWIM Instructor, Katrina Shelton says being able to swim is a gift, that children should be given from a young age.

"All parents need to realise just how important swimming safety is," Mrs Shelton said.

"Children need to have skills and confidence in and around all types of water - whether it is at the local pool, weir, or river.

"Swimming skills, once taught are skills children will keep for their entire lives. With the current increase in drowning deaths, it is now more important than ever to make sure your little ones know the basics," she said.

ABOVE: Katrina Shelton gets the kids started by using the kickboards and moving their feet.

Locally Mrs Shelton says she has noticed parents in Coonamble are listening and learning from recent statistics.

"I currently train ages ranging from three to twelve years of age.

"I have them training three times a week and they love it. It is great to see Coonamble parents making sure to fill the age gap that was impacted by COVID-19."

Rural and remote townships, like Coonamble face several risk factors that significantly increase the chance of drownings. These include geographical remoteness, unrestricted access to natural waterways, especially for children, increased emergency response times, increased accessibility to water bodies on properties, limited mobile phone service and alcohol consumption.

The state wide shortage of qualified instructors has seen Gulargambone and Quambone with no official learn to swim programs in place, with the closest' Mums and Bubs' learn to swim program available in Gilgandra.

Mrs Shelton says it is extremely important for children to enrol in Learn to Swim programs as remote communities pose unique challenges for water safety drowning prevention.

"Water can be a great source of exercise, relaxation and fun - but it needs to be treated with caution as it can turn tragic if safety is forgotten, or not taught.

"I focus on breaking down and teaching the basics- learning to kick, putting their faces in the water, learning to float, how to get to the closest pool edges and learning how to get in and out of the pool properly.

"Safety around the pool is important, and parents can start these lessons at home in the bath and shower, or even in their own pool. Play games with them, get them used to water, bring them in the pool with you," she said.

"It is amazing to watch the progression children make. I love seeing the looks of achievement on their faces when they make progress.

"Even though they progress, adults cannot be too vigilant in their supervision of children around water. Many parents and carers need to consider safety steps for themselves as well. "

Royal Life Saving Australia advises Australians to stay safe in inland waterways by:

• Actively supervising children around water
• Creating a child safe play area
• Covering water storage (buckets, tanks, wells, troughs)
• Telling someone where you are going and when you will be back
• Going with a friend
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs around water
• Wearing a lifejacket