A renewed push for improved water safety has sparked concerns from a local swimming club that fundamental swimming instruction is being overlooked in schools. The City of Southampton Swimming Club warns that while the new national Water Safety Forum curriculum promises to teach children vital skills, many youngsters are struggling to learn due to rising pool costs and closures.
Head Coach Matt Heathcock claims the escalating cost of access – a single hour can cost up to £25 for families – has become prohibitively expensive. He notes that only 77% of primary school-leavers meet the national benchmark, swimming 25 metres unaided. Yet, statistics from Swim England show a significant majority in the South enjoy swimming, with 90% taking part.
The National Water Safety Manager's Adam Goymer described pool closures since the pandemic as a 'terrible investment', attributing it to increased costs and reduced usage. He urges the government to support maintaining these vital community assets. Meanwhile, Professor Mike Tipton of Portsmouth University highlights the difference between pool swimming and open water survival, citing data that 61% of drowning victims aged 8-18 were deemed proficient in pools.
The new Water Safety Code, integrated into schools' curricula, focuses on essential safety messages such as 'Stop and Think', 'Stay Together', 'Float', and 'Call 999'. Crucially, the 'float to live' method is prioritised for survival in cold water – rolling onto one's back, tilting the head, and remaining still for about a minute.
Source: City of Southampton Swimming Club, Swim England, National Water Safety Forum, Portsmouth University