25 Oct New app makes learning to swim more accessible and affordable
An Australian first app which aims to make learning to swim more accessible and affordable for all ages and abilities, has been launched on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The app was created by Rackley Swimming, a company with extensive experience in the swimming industry, operating over 30 swimming centres in South East Queensland. They have taught swimming to people of all ages, including athletes preparing for major events like the Olympics.
The CEO of Paredu, Wayne Pollock, highlights that drowning is the third-leading cause of accidental death in Australia. According to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, 90 people lost their lives in Australian waterways and swimming pools between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023.
The goal of the Paredu app is to provide a way for people to learn to swim at their own pace, whether it’s in their own pool, a bathtub for babies, a public pool, or even in areas where public facilities are limited, such as rivers or lakes. The app combines digital and physical learning and is designed to be easy to use.
Businesswoman and mother of two Lizzie Henebery said the Paredu app was a time and money saver for her family as she is able to teach her six month-old daughter Jessie to swim in her own time.
“I work full time and it is really difficult for me to take Jessie to swimming lessons on a consistent basis. I also have a seven-year-old daughter Layla and it was a real struggle to teach her to swim when she was young as I was running my own business so we are very excited to use Paredu’s lessons and video instructions to help Jessie learn to swim.
“It’s great that the program can be modified to suit her age and abilities and best of all I have other friends who have children of a similar age so we can all learn together with expert knowledge and information at our fingertips,” Lizzie said.
The app is not limited to specific age groups; it encourages people to learn to swim at any age. It also aims to serve Australia’s growing migrant population, many of whom come from countries where swimming is considered a luxury leisure activity. Additionally, the app takes into consideration individuals with disabilities and allows lessons to be tailored to their specific needs and lifestyles.
The Paredu app can be downloaded on any Apple or Android device in the App store. It offers a two-week free trial and can be purchased for $10.99 per month or $89.99 per year. For more information see Peredu.org
