21 January 2008



A letter to Richard and Rachelle
Kids Aquatic Survival School



I’ve attached three photographs: one shows my son Alexander at three, jumping into the pool during a recent holiday to The Entrance, the other shows him swimming underwater across the pool (he’s the one swimming!) and the third shows his pride in his achievement.

It is the best way I can show you the incredible love he has for the water and the confidence he has in his abilities. Undoubtedly, this is largely as a result of his survival lessons with you.

Alexander was two when he came to you in 2006. He learnt the techniques and, five weeks into the course, was quick to put them into practice when he was knocked over by a freak wave at the beach. I was less than a metre away and by the time I’d reached his side, he’d flipped onto his back and was floating comfortably, as you’d taught him. He experienced no distress and was happy with the praise he received from me and some other people nearby.

Since then, he has been back for two refresher sessions, and I cannot express how incredibly grateful I am for the program. It means we can share a love for the water and have lots of fun together, outdoors.

Now aged four, Alexander is the first to suggest visiting the pool or the beach, which we do on an almost daily basis. He prefers the surfing beaches, particularly on a wild day when the waves are huge. He is always the youngest one in the waves and walks in until the water nudges his chin. When the waves come, he jumps over or sinks under, and often body surfs back to shore with his face under the water. I am now teaching him to boogie board.

If he gets dumped in the surf, he just gets up and runs back in. This contrasts greatly with children his age who simply paddle at the water’s edge.

People always comment on Alexander’s abilities in the water, and I am always raving about your program.

Yes, the lessons were difficult and yes, he cried. But he also cried when he went to preschool last year…and for much, much longer! As his mother, I believe it is in his best interest to encourage him and lead him through difficult experiences – not pull him out because he cries.

I nearly drowned twice when I was young – firstly as a very young child, and then when I was about seven and trying to learn to swim. I was saved by others, but I believe a child should be equipped with the skills to help save themselves wherever possible.

They are called survival skills for a reason. Of course, I am always by Alexander’s side because no swimming program is infallible, but his confidence levels are high, particularly for his age. His enthusiasm and persistence are equally high.

Richard, I have nothing but praise for you, your commitment to teaching children how to save themselves in the water, and the special skills you demonstrate with the children during your program.

I am grateful to you for teaching my son the most important lessons he’ll ever need: resourcefulness, independence, problem-solving, self-trust, and the skills to help save himself in the water.

Quite frankly, here’s what I think: If only one child is saved from drowning as a result of your course, I want it to be mine.


Kindest regards


Alethea Mouhtouris
Kogarah
NSW