Laurie Lawrence

Stuff the Silver, we are Going for Gold

NEWS

Make your backyard safe and save lives!

by

National Check Your Pool Gate Month

Backyards pose a major risk to little ones this summer with research revealing 45% of pool owners are unaware if their pool fence and gate complies with Australian fencing standards. *

87% of all swimming pool drowning deaths of children under 5 occur in backyard pools**, so the need to reduce the risk factor by ensuring gates and fences are secure is imperative.

Check Your Pool Gate Month starts on December 1 and as a long-term partner of D&D Technologies, the makers of the Aussie made MagnaLatch®, Kids Alive is calling on all pool owners to be more diligent and conduct a safety check today.

It is easy to do and only takes 5 minutes to check your gate complies. Visit www.checkyourpoolgate.com.au and download the Sense Of Summer guide. This provides you with all the safety knowhow for your fence and gate, but also some great ideas for having more fun with the family this Christmas. Think craft, cooking, games and more!

Check Your Pool Gate Month is all part of a concerted effort to reduce pool drowning in the most vulnerable under-fives by creating safer backyard swimming pools and making it harder for children to gain access.

It is easy to do and only takes 5 minutes to check your gate complies. Visit www.checkyourpoolgate.com.au and download the Sense Of Summer guide. This provides you with all the safety knowhow for your fence and gate, but also some great ideas for having more fun with the family this Christmas. Think craft, cooking, games and more!

Check Your Pool Gate Month is all part of a concerted effort to reduce pool drowning in the most vulnerable under-fives by creating safer backyard swimming pools and making it harder for children to gain access.

D&D Technologies’ safety checklist for pool gates

  • Gate should open outwards, away from the pool
  • Latch release knob should be at least 1500mm above ground level
  • Gate must be self-closing and self-latching
  • Gate hinges should be rust-free and bind-free
  • Gate should carry reliable, tension-adjustable hinges
  • Latch must be adjustable for height and width.
  • Hinges must be adjustable for closing tension.
  • Latch cannot be key locked in the “open” position
  • Latch cannot be disengaged using implements
  • Gate latch cannot be shaken or jolted open
  • Gate will shut securely from any open angle or force
  • Gate complies with all Australian Standards for pool safety

Further reading

Kids Alive Do the Five – learn more here

*Royal Life Saving Australia – National Drowning Report 2020

**Royal Life Saving Australia – NSW Child Drowning Report: A 15-year analysis of causal factors for drowning of children under 5 years in private swimming pools 2002/03-2016/17

Stuff the Silver, We’re… GOING FOR GOLD! Book Launched

by

Launch of the Laurie Lawrence’s new book ‘ Suff the silver, We’re going for GOLD ! at the Valley Pool today with a host of famous swimmers from Laurie’s coaching career.

Who will forget the passion

Who will ever forget that passionate explosion of emotion from Laurie Lawrence after his young charge Duncan Armstrong, who had arrived at Seoul for the 1988 Olympics ranked 46th in the world, had just beaten three world record holders to take gold in the 400 metres freestyle final. “What do you think we came here for … the silver?” he told TV reporter Steve Quartermain, “Stuff the silver, we came for the Gold.”

It’s an attitude that is typically Australian. Why settle for second best? Never be beaten until you hit the finish line.

Laurie Lawrence has been poolside for plenty of Australia’s greatest Olympic moments and had already mentored another “mission impossible” gold medal effort with 17-year-old Jon Sieben four years earlier.

Laurie, more recently recognised for his Kids Alive Do the 5 water safety campaign that has led to saving many lives in Aussie pools, is also one of the country’s most popular and entertaining motivational speakers. He has attended eight Olympics Games – two as a champion swim coach and six as an Australian team athlete liaison officer, a confidante and mentor of athletes from all sports. It gave him an incredible insider’s aspect of what makes champions tick.

Sharing his insights in his new book

Over the years he has compiled some inclusive interviews and provided intimate insights into not just champion swimmers but some of our greatest Olympic heroes … from his boyhood hero Dawn Fraser, to rowers David Crawshay and Scott Brennan, hockey coach extraordinaire Ric Charlesworth, athletics middle distance hall of famer Herb Elliott and cyclists Kathy Watt and Anna Meares.

It’s compelling reading … as a motivational tool for young athletes or those fascinated with Australia’s legendary sporting DNA.

GET A COPY OF THE PAPERBACK BOOK
GET A COPY OF THE EBOOK

Read more

Follow Laurie’s podcast here

Learn about Laurie’s teaching philosophy https://worldwideswimschool.com/swim-teachers/newsletter/

Responsible Pool Person 2020

by

Poolwerx recruits Responsible Pool Persons this summer

Drowning is the silent killer that claimed 276 Australian lives last year and with 34 water-related deaths already reported this summer, Poolwerx is calling on Australians to nominate a Responsible Pool Person to supervise those in and around the water at every poolside event.

From the 20th to the 27th of January, Australians can pick up their free Responsible Pool Person hat in every Poolwerx store. Whoever wears the hat pledges to stay alert to ensure safety remains a priority around the pool.

Former Olympic swim coach Laurie Lawrence has backed the water safety campaign, reminding Australians never to be complacent around the pool, especially when young children are about.

“Children can get themselves into trouble very quickly in pools and with so much going on at parties, it’s not good enough to just expect that someone will be keeping an eye on swimmers,” Mr Lawrence said.

“We all need to be diligent in keeping our pools – and the people in it – safe. Poolwerx’s Responsible Pool Person campaign helps ensure someone is always supervising, without distraction.”

To ensure your pool party goes off without a hitch this summer, Poolwerx have provided their top safety tips to check off before you dive in.

  1. Ensure your pool is safe and secure – check that all gates, fences, and latches are in perfect working condition.
  2. Ensure no climbables near the fence – any furniture that leans against the pool fence can act as a ladder for young kids to scales fences without parental knowledge. Ensure the space around the pool is clear at all times.
  3. Maintain pool water health – make sure your pool water is healthy and clear.
  4. Reduce distraction and remove glass – no glass or drinks should be around the pool when in use. Don’t get distracted by your phone when children are in the pool area.
  5. Nominate a Responsible Pool Person to supervise – nominate one or multiple people to act as a Responsible Pool Person and oversee those in and around the pool.

John O’Brien, Poolwerx CEO said the Responsible Pool Person campaign was a initiative to help reduce water-related incidents.

“Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children under the age of five and affects swimmers of all ages, which is why Poolwerx continues to champion water safety for all of those looking to cool off over the summer,” Mr O’Brien concluded.

For more information on how to stay safe by the water this summer or to find your local Poolwerx, visit www.poolwerx.com.au/responsible

Is your fence ready to save a life?

by

December is National Check Your Pool Gate Month

We know that kids who drown in backyard pools most commonly gain access to the pool through faulty fences and gates. So, on December 1 we are urging all pool owners to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of their swim zone as part of National Check-Your-Pool-Gate Month.

The initiative is a partnership between KidsAlive™ and D&D Technologies – the inventor and maker of the world’s safest and most-trusted pool gate latch, MagnaLatchⓇ. The aim is to reduce pool drowning by creating safer backyard swimming pools and making it harder for children to gain access.

12 little ones lost their lives last year and we believe more can be done to prevent these statistics and get closer to our goal of zero drownings in children under 5.

The start of Summer is the perfect time to do this, so download a checklist and make sure your fence, gate, latches, and hinges are in good working order, because a gate that is not self-closing and self-latching provides instant and often undetected access for young kids to the pool area.

D&D Technologies did some research and 30% of parents admitted to only checking the safety of their pool area once a year of LESS! It should be done four times a year AT LEAST, but especially in Summer because it has the highest incidence of drowning and non-fatal drowning accidents.

If you are unsure what to check for why not attend a pool safety education session at a participating Bunnings Warehouse store Saturday 7 December. Bunnings has joined us this year to spread the word and make sure people know what to check to ensure the ultimate safety of their swim zone. Check out locations and times here.

D&D Technologies’ safety checklist for pool gates:

  • Gate should open outwards, away from the pool
  • Latch release knob should be at least 1500m above ground level
  • Gate must be self-closing and self-latching
  • Gate hinges should be rust-free and bing-free
  • Gate should carry reliable, tension-adjustable hinges
  • Latch must be adjustable for height and width
  • Hinges must be adjustable for closing tension
  • Latch cannot be key locked in the “open” position
  • Latch cannot be disengaged using implements
  • Gate latch cannot be shaken or jolted open
  • Gate will shut securely from any open angle or force
  • Gate complies with Australian Standards for pool safety

MagnaLatchⓇ products can be found at Bunnings in the ‘Builders’ Hardware’ aisle.

*Royal Life Saving Australia – National Drowning Report 2018
**Royal Life Saving Australia – NSW Child Drowning Report: A 15-year analysis of causal factors for drowning of children under 5 years in private swimming pools 2002/03-2016/17

International Industry Partnerships Announced

by

World Wide Swim School is excited to announce partnerships with industry associations in New Zealand and the USA. This expands on our current Australian partnerships with ASCTA, AUSTSWIM, and Australian Swim School Association.

We are excited to be partnering with NZSCTA and USSSA to provide their members the benefits of the World Wide Swim School training modules, videos and resources developed by Laurie Lawrence.

Laurie Lawrence said ‘we value working with industry associations and creating these partnerships to support the ongoing development of swim teachers and swim schools in teaching swimming and water safety skills’.

Laurie went on to say ‘even as a successful young coach my dad ‘Stumpy’ Lawrence emphasized the importance of continual improvement. With this in mind I contacted US Coach Don Gabril and headed to Long Beach California to pick up kickboards for him, but more importantly, study his coaching methods! These days with the internet we don’t have to leave home to upskill ourselves. Worldwideswimschool.com is there for swim schools, teachers and young coaches around the world to enjoy and improve’.

Susan Carter, General Manager said ‘This is the first time we have partnered with these two international associations and we are excited to work with NZSCTA and USSSA to ensure their members have access to ongoing professional development to upskill and build consistency of teaching across the swim school team’.

For more information, go to worldwideswimschool.com/our-partners

World Wide Swim School growth leads to team expansion

by

Due to immense growth of World Wide Swim School business operations, the company is announcing the appointment of a General Manager and new Sales Executive.

Susan Carter will be moving into the position of General Manager to continue to grow and develop World Wide Swim School. 

Susan commenced with World Wide Swim School in 2018 as Manager of Business Engagement and Quality Improvement, and has overseen a widespread increase in product consumption for the company.  

As General Manager Susan will guide the strategic direction of World Wide Swim School, working with industry associations and partners to further increase the reach of the teacher training platform into both Australian and International markets.

Michael McKenzie will be joining the team as Sales Executive for Swim Schools. Michael has had a long career in swimming, culminating in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, with Laurie as coach. Since retiring from swimming Michael has operated swim schools and had extensive experience in Sales in the swimming industry.

Director of World Wide Swim School, Laurie Lawrence, said “our expansion will ensure that we can provide more swimming staff with access to our quality training platform to ensure teachers are well trained”. 

“With Susan at the helm, we are excited about the massive growth we have ahead for us and the change we will begin to see in the swimming industry, Laurie said.

CEO, Ben Pedrazzini said, “we have achieved great market acceptance, but for continual expansion we require the full attention of quality staff, Susan and Michael are great additions to our team that assist us in driving the World Wide Swim School platform to new heights. In the coming weeks and months, we have some very exciting news to share with our members and the swimming industry as we continue to add value to our products and services.”

For more information, visit worldwideswimschool.com

Learn2Swim Week Launch

by

I urge all parents to take advantage of free lessons for kids under the age of five as part of the Learn2Swim awareness campaign.

Learn2Swim Week 2019 will be held during the Spring school holidays from September 30th – October 7th.

Parents can visit www.learn2swimweek.com and register for FREE lessons.

Remember Kids Alive Do The Five!  And a big thank you to all the participating swim schools and Learn2Swim Week’s amazing partner, Poolwerx.

Laurie Lawrence and Melanie Wright pose with kids, (left to right) Charlotte Brown, Isabelle Brown and Madison Wright at Aqua Logan, Tuesday, August 20, 2019. (Pic Jono Searle/Thrive PR.)

Laurie to be interviewed live, on ABC Conversations

by

Anyone that knows Laurie Lawrence, knows he loves to chat. And when he sits down with ABC Conversations host Sarah Kanowski on 19 July, it is sure to be an entertaining and insightful chat.

With a career spanning over five decades, Laurie has not only made a name for himself as one of the world’s greatest swimming coaches, but he has also become one of Australia’s most beloved sons. He is a larrikin, he is passionate and his determination is unwavering.

You can hear Laurie’s interview with Sarah Kanowski live at 11am on:

Listen at 3pm on:

The podcast will be available early afternoon on: