A mum and son are part of a new Swim England campaign which aims to showcase the long-term wider benefits of swimming lessons and inspire more children to learn.

Candace is mother to Finlay, who has achondroplasia, and they are figuring in Swim England and leading leisure operators’ latest wave of the #LoveSwimming campaign highlighting the wider benefits of swimming lessons and the value of starting their learning journey.

She recognises the benefits of swimming, insisting: “It has really helped his confidence, swimming is an essential skill and I really do believe in swimming lessons because at the end of the day they can save your life and are a brilliant thing to be able to do.

“Doing other sports can impact Finlay’s frame quite a lot, but if he can build his muscular system with swimming it really supports his spine and that allows him to engage in so many other aspects of life.

‘We can talk under the water together and it allows us to have a laugh, he has finally got to a point where he really enjoys being in the water.

“We are about to go on holiday and the fact he is safer and a lot more confident in the water means I am not worried about him.

“He wants to spend time in the water even after his lessons are done.”

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 including increased confidence, happiness, and social skills to create friendships at a young age.

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

More than two thirds of parents 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.

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 CEO, 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.

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“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 click here