Impowerfull, with support from Multicultural NSW, proudly launches SwimHER, a groundbreaking 10-week, fully subsidised, FREE learn-to-swim and water safety program for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women. With drowning deaths on the rise—41% of Australia’s 339 drownings in 2022-23 occurred in NSW— SwimHER addresses this urgent crisis by breaking financial, cultural, and systemic barriers to water
safety. People from CALD backgrounds are overrepresented in these drowning fatalities.
This initiative comes at a critical time, following a series of tragic drownings across NSW in recent
weeks, including multiple incidents involving women and children. SwimHER directly addresses this
growing public safety crisis while advancing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), particularly:
✅ SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being: By equipping women with essential water safety skills, we are
preventing avoidable deaths and improving long-term health and confidence in the water.
✅ SDG 4 – Quality Education: Providing accessible, culturally inclusive water safety education
ensures CALD women, who often miss out on such opportunities, gain lifelong survival skills.
✅ SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Women from CALD communities face cultural and systemic barriers to
learning to swim. SwimHER removes these barriers, creating a safe, inclusive space forparticipation.
✅ SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: By offering a fully subsidised program, free swim gear, and
translated water safety resources, SwimHER ensures no woman is left behind due to financial or
cultural constraints.
“Every drowning is preventable, yet we continue to see lives lost due to lack of access to proper water
safety education,” says Rachel Bowles, an Impowerfull representative. “SwimHER isn’t just about
teaching women to swim—it’s about empowering entire communities by breaking cultural, financial
and systemic barriers.”
Breaking Barriers to Water Safety
SwimHER is the first program of its kind, ensuring that culture, modesty and accessibility never stand in the way of learning to swim.
The program provides:
✅ Fully subsidised swim lessons in a private, female-only pool
✅ Female instructors only, ensuring comfort and cultural sensitivity
✅ Free rash shirts, goggles, and swim caps for all participants
✅ Translated water safety resources in multiple languages
✅ Workshops on water safety, drowning prevention and employment
pathways in the aquatic industry.
SwimHER is more than a program—it’s a movement. By removing financial, cultural, and
accessibility barriers, it’s closing the water safety gap for CALD communities and shaping a safer
future for generations.
Support: Supported by Multicultural NSW, SWIM Australia, Float To Survive, From Now On Sport
Participation Consulting, Bondi Lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, local businesses and key
community supporters, SwimHER is driving lasting change in water safety education.
Beyond Swimming: A Movement for Sustainable Change
SwimHER extends beyond lessons, connecting participants with career opportunities in the
aquatic industry, supporting SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth through:
✅ CPR & First Aid training sponsorships
✅ Swim Teacher course scholarships
✅ Swim It Forward Child Scholarships
✅ Ongoing water safety education for families
“Water safety is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” says Anu Bedi. President of Impowerfull
“SwimHER ensures CALD women and their families are not left behind in drowning prevention
efforts.”
“Floating is a water safety skill that is non-negotiable. The longer you stay afloat … the more chance of rescue”, says Bondi Rescue star and Head Lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins.
With limited spots available, SwimHER is in high demand. Impowerfull encourages any CALD women who have never had the opportunity to learn to swim to register now via the Impowerfull website, or find their local swim school and signup for lessons today!
To register for SwimHER, head to www.impowerfull.com.au/swimher
