A PASSIONATE Jimboomba swimming coach has revealed she joined the profession after losing a family member who drowned in a flash flooding event.
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Jimboomba Stingrays coach Natalie Kennedy said it was vital for everyone, regardless of age, to learn basic swimming techniques.
"I became a swimming teacher because I lost a family member to drowning," she said.
"He could swim better than I could, I thought of all people he would be able to survive, but after three hours of fighting a current, if you can't float you drown, and that was his problem.
"After his passing and the realisation that I had four children of my own, I feared for their safety and took them to the swimming centre.
"From watching them learn and develop, I learned and developed a passion for teaching children how to swim properly."
This comes as Jimboomba Stingrays swimming lessons started in September at the Jimboomba State School pool from 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
The program is designed to prepare students to swim at a squad level and master the basics of freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly.
Swimmers are assessed and sorted into groups across five levels.
Jimboomba State School P&C assistant Natalie Hurd said the Jimboomba Stingrays program was open to everyone from toddlers to squad level competitive swimmers.
"Our pool is heated and we try to extend the swimming season as long as possible so it runs from September until May just before it gets too cold," she said.
Coach Kennedy, who has been a swimming instructor for more than 10 years, basic swimming skills could be the difference between life and death.
"There are so many dangers around the water, it can take only 30 seconds and someone could be gone or brain dead," Ms Kennedy said.
"If you fall off the back of a boat with your family on a trip, you have to wait at least a couple of minutes for that boat to turn around.
"You have to be able to tread water and stay in the same spot so the boat can come back to where it dropped you."
Jimboomba Stingrays new members can choose to sign up to the program at the pool in the afternoon from Monday to Friday or call 0419 255 475 to book a free skill assessment.
People are also encouraged to keep updated on the Jimboomba Stingrays Facebook page for more information.
The Jimboomba Swimming Pool is also hosting aqua aerobics classes every Wednesday afternoon from 5pm to 6pm for $10.
Entry is free for new members during their first week.
