IT IS very sad that there has been another death in the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga.
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As a regular user of the river for more than 40 years I have continuously argued for learn-to-swim programs in Wagga to include a component of river swimming and safety.
Our river is a feature and a fantastic asset of the city and almost all children are at some time going to swim in the river.
Yet I am not aware of there ever having been an ongoing program to adequately train children to swim with safety in our river.
This needs to be conducted in situ.
We pride ourselves of pool based learn-to-swim initiatives, but swimming in the river is a very different experience to swimming laps in a pool.
Children are not taught to observe the hazards of river swimming, to read currents, snags, sandbars, overhanging trees, depth of water indicators or how to manage these features with safety.
All children in Wagga should be required to complete a short practical training program of river swimming and safety.
It is not sufficient to just learn to swim in pools and achieve distance and style objectives.
Perhaps we should have a river safety and competency award that all children in Wagga must undertake?
Those responsible for children learn-to-swim programs, life saving and safety, must take some initiative to ensure that these programs reflect local and community needs and are not just receiving universally popular learn to swim programs.
I am also quite concerned at the number of unsafe floating toys that are currently being utilised in the river by children and adults.
Any number of users are arriving at Wagga Beach supported by partly inflated plastic toys, suffering from cold water exposure, sunburn and in many cases intoxication.
Many of these toys, which are mostly only partially inflated, are semi-submerged and would be easily punctured by snags and rendered useless.
There is certainly a need for this planned river swimming program for youngsters in Wagga, coupled with a community education program.
There is not even a local pamphlet available outlining the requirements for safe use and enjoyment of our river.
Most power boat users of the river also ignore regulations regarding speed and proximity to swimmers and this is particularly a problem along a section of three to four kilometres of river.
It extends from the railway viaduct past Wagga Beach to Wiradjuri Reserve.
A jetski exhibitionist has been a recent visitor to Wagga Beach and has paid no regard to regulation and the safety of swimmers during the current heatwave.
The community of Wagga ought to be aware also that the most recent death did not occur at Wagga Beach.
Given the present patterns of river use by the public and the hazards present, a lifesaver located at Wagga Beach is likely to be of very little benefit.
What is needed is a new initiative and program aimed at teaching our children to use the river safely, to conduct an ongoing and effective community and visitor education program and to adequately inform the public of the dangers.
DW Glastonbury
Wagga