There may be a new face, but the goal has remained the same for over twenty years ” to educate Australian children about keeping safe in the waterways.

Heavyweights Coca-Cola, Sony Computer Entertainment and the Commonwealth Government have joined Olympic swim star Michael Klim and Royal Life Saving – Australia to launch Australia’s largest water safety education programme, Swim and Survive.

Klim is the new face of Swim and Survive, the national swimming and water safety programme which has been educating the 5-14 year age group since 1982.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of Australian’s drowning by ensuring that people have a sound knowledge of how to be safe when in and around water, as well as skills in swimming, personal aquatic survival and basic rescue.

Promoted through 8,000 primary schools and 1,000 aquatic facilities throughout Australia, Swim and Survive has the strong support of the Coca-Cola Foundation and Sony Computer Entertainment to spread the message.

Both of these organisations acknowledge the need for Australian children to learn water safety skills which will enable them to safely spend a future enjoying aquatic activities.

Since 1982 over 10 million Australian’s have participated in Swim and Survive. Swim and Survive has contributed to the continued low incidences of drowning in the 5-14 year age group.

Swim and Survive provides a broad balanced program of swimming, water safety and survival that is delivered by qualified instructors in schools and pools throughout Australia. The programme prepares the swimmer for a lifetime of safe activity in, on or around the water.