Campaign launched to get every child swimming

Ambitious plans to get every single child swimming confidently before they leave primary school are being launched at Wales National Pool on December 2.

It’s called ‘Learn To Swim Wales’ and over the next few years thousands of youngsters up and down the country will be taking the plunge in their local swimming pool.

Jeremy Cole, General Manager at Wales National Pool Swansea, said: “We’re delighted to be taking on this exciting and ambitious programme which has the potential to transform lives in so many ways.

“First of all it’s about safety and I’m really pleased to see how Learn to Swim Wales’ top priority is to teach children about water safety, being safe in water and how to help themselves or others if they get into difficulties.

“Secondly, the programme is going to be great fun and that’ll encourage everyone to participate and be active, helping promote exercise and prevent obesity.

“And then, of course, if every child in Wales has the chance to learn to swim by the time they’re 11 it means we’ll be able to unlock their potential and enthusiasm for swimming which could help lead to the birth of a new generation of Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.”

Mr Cole said: “Wales National Pool Swansea is proud to have been home to so many world-class athletes like Jazz Carlin and Ellie Simmonds but we’re equally proud of our track record as a community pool, supporting people of all ages to be confident in and around water.

“For all these reasons, Wales National Pool Swansea is the perfect place to adopt the Learn to Swim Wales scheme.”

The new programme will be the only Welsh Government-accredited scheme of its kind in Wales. It’s been created by Swim Wales and Sport Wales, who will oversee the development of the programme across the country