New data from Swim England has revealed the extent the national lockdowns over the past 12 months have had on youngsters. The national governing body has joined forces with nine swimming pool operators across the country to urge parents and guardians to ensure children return to ‘safe and secure’ swimming lessons as part of its latest #LoveSwimming campaign.

The statistics show that more than five million swimming sessions – the vast majority being swimming lessons – were lost following the closure of public pools for the first time on 20 March 2020.

That has already led to an additional 240,000 missing out on learning how to swim 25m and 50,000 fewer children now being able to perform a safe self-rescue.

The latest wave of the #LoveSwimming campaign has shown how swimming lessons are held in covid-secure environments and how vital they are to keep youngsters safe, fit and healthy.

Indoor pools were allowed to reopen on Monday 12 April and Jane Nickerson, Swim England chief executive, said people were returning to the water in droves.

“It’s been great that parents and children are returning to their lessons in a safe and Covid-secure environment. Swimming is a fantastic way for children and young people to be active and reap both physical and mental health benefits. However, being able to swim and stay safe in the water is also an invaluable life skill. With access to facilities limited due to the pandemic, we expect that there will be some regression amongst children’s swimming ability,” she said. 

“With summer upon us, I fear for children’s safety in the water and would strongly recommend parents and guardians to be proactive in making up for the lost time. I hope that through regular swimming lessons and more pool time, we will be able to avoid ‘a lost generation’ of children and young people who cannot swim and keep themselves safe in the water.”