After nine weeks off lessons Canberra kids will soon return to the pool, but the end of lockdown coinciding with warmer weather has swimming instructors concerned.
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With ACT pools reopening for lessons on Friday at the same time families begin considering trips to the coast, Aquatots Swim Pool manager Alena Sarri said the excitement of students was matched only by the wariness of instructors.
"We're coming straight out of lockdown into the summer swim season, which is very dangerous, especially for young children," Ms Sarri said.
"We're concerned that what we've taught the kids previously has actually regressed over the break.
"Even those that could probably save themselves before we went into lockdown, I can guarantee you when they come back it's not going to be that way."
When ACT pools reopen on Friday it will be under strict limitations. For lessons, a maximum of 25 swimmers and one parent for each minor will be permitted in the venue at once.
Squad lessons are considered an organised sport and won't be permitted until the end of October.
A maximum of 25 swimmers will be allowed in venues for laps from Friday, with two swimmers per lane and change rooms closed.
Aquatots in Nicholls will not be open to the public with this easing of restrictions, however, members can book in for a splash outside lesson times.
Ms Sarri said the squad students would be fine to go back in the water this summer as basic lifesaving skills had been solidified.
"It's the little guys that aren't able to retain the information that we've given them previously, they're the ones that need to learn the skills," she said.
Dickson Aquatic Centre this week announced it would not be reopening at the end of October as normal, with regular term four swimming lessons not going ahead.
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The pool now looks set to reopen in mid- to late-November, with limited private lessons available between then and mid-December.
A date has not been set for the reopening of YMCA pools across the ACT. The centres will open for fitness services only from Friday.
JUMP! Swim Schools Fyshwick instructor Holly Singh said keeping pools closed for lessons until October 15 had been a mistake.
"It only takes a few weeks of children missing lessons and the effect is noticeable, especially amongst younger children," Ms Singh said.
"So when they have a big gap in lessons like we've seen in the latest ACT lockdown it makes us very concerned, especially as we head into summer."
While the return to the pool has been welcome by most parents, some have lamented the fact children will return to swim lessons ahead of actual school lessons.
Year 11 and 12 students will be back at school from October 18 in the ACT, however, not everyone is due back until November 1.
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