As the Perth community continues to take stock of the tragic loss of life suffered by a family on New Year’s Eve, former Australian National Swimming Coach and long-time swimming safety advocate Laurie Lawrence is once again making his annual plea: teach your kids to swim.

“Not only does it build recovery skills, but it builds children’s mental, physical and emotional capital,”Mr Lawrence said.

“They’re smarter, they’re healthier, they’re better coordinated and, most importantly, they’re safer.”

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