Over 2000 North Ayrshire residents learning to swim safely each week through Scottish Swimming programme
The Learn to Swim National Framework has been a huge success throughout the country.
Over 2,000 people a week in North Ayrshire are taking the opportunity to learn to swim.
The Learn to Swim National Framework is a national programme partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water that encourages youngsters to learn to swim, as well as teaching about water safety.
Every week, 83,777 children and adults across Scotland are taking part in Learn to Swim lessons - with that figure including 2,021 people across five swimming pools in North Ayrshire.
In the last seven years, it's estimated that the programme has helped teach 210,337 people across Scotland how to be safe in and around water.
John Lunn, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming, said: 'This is an incredible milestone and testament to the commitment of our delivery partners and instructors across Scotland.
'The Learn to Swim programme continues to play a vital role in helping children and adults build confidence, stay active, and most importantly, stay safer in and around water. To reach more than 210,000 participants is a fantastic achievement.'
Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: 'It's fantastic to reach this latest milestone – we are delighted the Learn to Swim programme continues to go from strength to strength – with around 84,000 people of all ages and abilities across Scotland currently taking part in Learn to Swim lessons every week.
'Everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland's miles of rivers, lochs, reservoirs and shorelines safely and with confidence.
'We are proud to work with Scottish Swimming and all the leisure trusts and aquatic providers across the country to create 'Generation Swim', a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.'
The programme is also committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability or skill level – and the programme is now also reaching more children with disabilities than ever before.
The Learn to Swim Framework developed by Scottish Swimming and delivered by partners across Scotland, ensures consistent quality of swimming lessons through supportive and inclusive learn to swim environments which help children and adults to be confident, safer and competent swimmers.
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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Over 2000 North Ayrshire residents learning to swim safely each week through Scottish Swimming programme
The Learn to Swim National Framework has been a huge success throughout the country. Over 2,000 people a week in North Ayrshire are taking the opportunity to learn to swim. The Learn to Swim National Framework is a national programme partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water that encourages youngsters to learn to swim, as well as teaching about water safety. Every week, 83,777 children and adults across Scotland are taking part in Learn to Swim lessons - with that figure including 2,021 people across five swimming pools in North Ayrshire. In the last seven years, it's estimated that the programme has helped teach 210,337 people across Scotland how to be safe in and around water. John Lunn, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming, said: 'This is an incredible milestone and testament to the commitment of our delivery partners and instructors across Scotland. 'The Learn to Swim programme continues to play a vital role in helping children and adults build confidence, stay active, and most importantly, stay safer in and around water. To reach more than 210,000 participants is a fantastic achievement.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: 'It's fantastic to reach this latest milestone – we are delighted the Learn to Swim programme continues to go from strength to strength – with around 84,000 people of all ages and abilities across Scotland currently taking part in Learn to Swim lessons every week. 'Everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland's miles of rivers, lochs, reservoirs and shorelines safely and with confidence. 'We are proud to work with Scottish Swimming and all the leisure trusts and aquatic providers across the country to create 'Generation Swim', a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.' The programme is also committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability or skill level – and the programme is now also reaching more children with disabilities than ever before. The Learn to Swim Framework developed by Scottish Swimming and delivered by partners across Scotland, ensures consistent quality of swimming lessons through supportive and inclusive learn to swim environments which help children and adults to be confident, safer and competent swimmers.
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Swimming can change your life. It's never too late to learn
Tragically, in 2024 alone, the National Water Safety Forum reported that there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. That equates to almost six fatal drownings per one million people, nearly twice the rate seen across the rest of the UK. Most of those who lost their lives were male, with the highest proportion aged 20 to 29 years old. Many of these incidents occurred during recreational and everyday activities, particularly in coastal waters. A flaw many of us share is the belief that tragedy won't touch us, that the heart-breaking stories we read in the news happen to other people, not to us or those we care about. The truth is, any body of water can be dangerous without swimming experience, even more so if those around you aren't able to help. We often tell ourselves it's too late to learn something new, but when it comes to swimming, that simply isn't true. I've seen people in their seventies not just learn to swim but make it part of their weekly routine. Taking the first step can be daunting, but it's never too late to learn. That's the message behind our Never Too Late campaign, encouraging adults of all ages to challenge the myth that swimming is only for the young. Through Learn to Swim, over 1,800 adults of all ages now take part in sessions, joining around 82,000 youngsters learning each week in 167 local pools across the country, with countless inspiring stories emerging as a result. Now to be honest, you won't feel confident at first - but that's exactly how learning begins. What matters is taking action, because if you don't, nothing will change. That's where Learn to Swim comes in, a national partnership between Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming, providing the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities across Scotland to learn to swim in supportive and inclusive environments, and access to gain vital basic water safety knowledge and skills to become confident, safer and competent swimmers who also experience wider health and social benefits swimming offers. One memorable story of someone benefiting hugely from these lessons was 80-year-old Gloria Mitchell from Kirriemuir, who overcame her lifelong fear of water through the Learn to Swim lessons. A frightening experience in deep water had left Gloria fearful of swimming. But by taking part in Learn to Swim lessons at ANGUSalive's Webster's Sports Centre in Kirriemuir, she finally found the confidence to get back in the water just in time for a holiday to Turkey with her friends. If you're thinking about learning to swim, it's never too late. Sophie McCall is Director of Aquatics Development at Scottish Swimming and maybe one day your story could inspire others too. Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scots warned to keep curbing water usage as scarcity still major concern despite rainfall
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