River swimming: why don't Australians take the plunge?

While we love the beach and the backyard pool, a dip in the Yarra or Swan has become anathema to us – but it wasn’t always soAustralia is world-famous as a swimming nation. We have a celebrated beach culture, not to mention more privately owned pools per capita than any other country. Yet few urban Australians would consider swimming in their city’s river.Almost every major Australian city sits on the banks of a large river. But judging by online reactions to the suggestion of