Mr Kennerley is calling on local families and community groups to support the nationwide petition to have swimming lessons made compulsory in primary schools, so every child in the Illawarra can access swimming and water safety education.

"Many, including a lot of young families, say no to engaging with swimming in a knee-jerk reaction. What we hear is that there's too many distractions and obstacles for them, so kids are missing out," he said.

"We want all kids to experience water. Swimming is a life skill."

Mr Kennerley said many areas of the community did not engage with swimming, particularly the refugee community in our region.

"Providing swim lessons in schools creates an opportunity for every kid to become familiar with their local pool, learn about all the risk issues with the water, and actually get to jump in a pool and practise their skills," he said.

Local primary school St Therese West Wollongong has taken steps of its own to address the problem, running an eight-week "learn to swim and survive" program in school for kindergarten to year 2 students.

Principal Brenda Wilson said the benefits to the students had been obvious, with significant improvements in their water familiarisation and confidence, and awareness of water safety.

"Swimming is part of a safe and healthy lifestyle in Australia. All children here have access to water . . . so it's important they receive instruction on the safety elements," she said.

Royal Life Saving CEO Rob Bradley said the current system was "failing the nation", where the simplest of swimming benchmarks - such as being able to swim 50 metres or float for two minutes - have become "way out of reach" for hundreds of thousands of Australian children.

Pictured from left, Connor Brophey, James Kalanoski, Nicholas Shalala and Ceon Choi show off their skills at the McKeon Swim School. Photo: ROBERT PEET