In partnership with Swim England and other operators, BH Live, the charity that runs leisure centres in Bournemouth and Portsmouth has launched a swim awareness campaign to promote water safety.

According to research from Swim England more than 70% of children are taken out of swimming lessons before they can swim competently. It also revealed that more than half of children are taken out of lessons before mastering basic but vital skills, such as treading water for 30 seconds or floating to live for 60 seconds – skills that are fundamental to a child’s ability to be safe and have great experiences in the water.

The aim of this campaign, which is being promoted across BH Live Active’s social channels, online and in centres with pools, is to inspire and educate more people on the importance of children being competent swimmers and what water safety looks like.

Swim England has said that a big shift in perception is needed concerning the safety of children in the water, and this new data surveyed parents’ opinions around what a child needs to do to be safe.

A majority of adults surveyed believed the safest distance a child should be able to swim is between 5-20 metres, compared to Swim England’s recommendation of 100 metres. Children are either being removed from lessons or stopped at a stage where they would not be able to achieve four of the key competencies. These include safely swimming 100m, treading water for 60 seconds, floating for 30 seconds, and being able to swim in clothing.

Leon Taylor, a former British competitive diver, understands the vital importance of water competency in children. He said:

“Water competency is one of the most important life skills a child can learn. As a former Great Britain diver, I’ve experienced firsthand the joy and confidence that comes with being comfortable in the water. Now, as a father, I see just how crucial it is for every child to develop this skill.

“I urge all parents to keep their children in swimming lessons until they’ve completed their full journey. Ensuring they master these essential skills not only provides peace of mind as they grow older but also gives them a lifelong means of exercise and enjoyment.

“Every time a child enters the water, they should do so with the confidence and knowledge to stay safe. Teaching water safety isn’t just a responsibility ‒ it’s an investment in their future, both in and out of the water.”

Swim England wants to use the #LoveSwimming campaign to highlight the importance of children achieving the water safety competencies, allowing them to have great experiences in water.

Andy Salmon, Swim England’s CEO, added:

“It is vital we ensure our children are staying in lessons to most importantly keep them safe but also to allow them to have great experiences in the water which are so valuable.

“We understand there’s lots of pressure on parents’ finances at the moment, but it is a concern that so many children are being taken out of swimming lessons before they can achieve the four key competencies.

“I hope through the launch of this wave of #LoveSwimming and this new research that we can educate parents on what children should be capable of in the water and keep children in lessons.

“I would encourage any parents who are seeing this to keep your children in lessons – swimming is such a vital skill and will benefit them throughout their lives.”

On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared;

“In Bournemouth and Portsmouth we deliver more than 500 hours of swimming lessons every week through our Swimming Academy. We’re helping people of all ages and abilities, from babies aged three months and upwards, to learn this vital skill for life.

“This latest research is showing that too many children are leaving lessons early, and that is a very worrying trend. That’s why we are backing Swim England’s awareness campaign to encourage local families to ensure their children reach the basic water competencies and swim regularly to keep those skills fresh.”

On behalf of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport said:

"Swimming is an important life skill to have, especially for people living in Portsmouth as we are surrounded by the sea. I'm delighted to see this awareness campaign being promoted in our city, and we will support BH Live in any way we can."

On behalf of BCP Council, Councillor David Brown, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said:

“We live in a beautiful part of the country and our children and young people are luckier than many to have access some fantastic beaches and river locations here in BCP.

“This easy access to open water means it is really important to ensure that they are well equipped with the swimming basics - including learning vital skills such as how to tread water and float to live, which could really mean the difference in their ability to save themselves if they get into trouble in the water.”

“Swimming is one of the best physical activities to improve our health and fitness and we want all of our residents, young and old, to have the confidence and swimming skills to enjoy our leisure centres and beaches.”

In addition to its BH Live’s swimming lesson programme, BH Live also offers a weekly timetable of public swim sessions and aqua classes across BH Live Active centres. These sessions are available to both BH Live Active members and pay-as-you-go customers, with concessions for people on low income.

Under-5s can also swim for free in BH Live Active centres across Bournemouth and East Dorset when accompanied by a full-paying adult (Littledown, Pelhams, Stokewood and Corfe Mullen). At the Mountbatten Leisure Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre in Portsmouth, under-12s can swim free – T&Cs apply.

More information about BH Live’s Swimming Academy, pool timetables, and sessions, can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk.