New data shows swimming lessons key for children to develop wider life-long skills 

As the Olympic and Paralympic summer inspires more people to learn to swim, new research from Swim England has found that children involved in swimming lessons are not just gaining vital water safety skills – but extensive additional benefits.

The research has shown that swimming lessons help build confidence, happiness and social skills to create friendships at a young age.

Swim England and leading leisure operators have today launched the latest wave of their #LoveSwimming campaign which aims to inspire more people to recognise these wider benefits of swimming lessons and start their learning journey.

As Great Britain’s aquatics stars have inspired the nation from Paris, attention turns to ensuring a longer-term positive impact, and providing every young person the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of the water by providing essential pool facilities.

The new research found that 87 per cent of those surveyed signed their children up to swimming lessons with the intention of promoting a lifelong engagement in sport.

Lessons now have been shown to have wider positive benefits. New data found that 84 per cent of parents agree that swimming lessons have helped their child’s confidence or self-esteem improve, alongside learning vital water safety skills.

More than two thirds of parents also agreed that swimming lessons helped their children to meet new friends, making swimming lessons one of the most productive mediums for supporting children to be healthy and happy.

Laura, parent of a nine-year-old, reflected on why swimming lessons have made such a difference to their child’s wider development, saying: “I have definitely seen such an improvement over the years, especially with her confidence and it helps us to know that if she ever got into trouble in the water she would know exactly what to do.

“I think it is great that Rose can come to her swimming lessons, have fun, see her friends and she is always looking forward to her swimming lessons.

Paramount importance

“Sometimes she can be a bit grumpy before her swimming lessons, but when she comes back she is always in a good mood.

“It was always something we wanted to encourage from a young age and now she really enjoys it which is great.

“I would really encourage everyone to put their children through swimming lessons, even if they haven’t done it from a young age, so they have that water safety but for the fitness, confidence and developing friendships.”

As part of the latest #LoveSwimming campaign, more children are being urged to get swimming, to ensure they are not only safe in the water, but to benefit from the wide range of life-long skills.

Andy Salmon, Swim England’s chief executive, added: “#LoveSwimming is a hugely important campaign for us as it represents an opportunity for us as the national governing body to make people aware just how important swimming lessons are.

“Water safety is of paramount importance but as well as learning how to enjoy the water it is clear that children’s confidence and self-esteem builds and they make new and lasting friendships.

“Our research has shown just how important swimming lessons are with the vast majority of parents we have spoken to highlighting the positive benefits of their children taking part in swimming lessons.

“I would urge any parent reading this who hasn’t put their children through swimming lessons to do so – there is so much to gain and we’re confident your children will love it.”

To get involved in swimming lessons, visit swimming.org/poolfinder.