Swimming safety schemes get underway

It’s hoped more Plymouth children than ever before will be water confident this summer.

Plymouth City Council’s Second Chance to Swim scheme is back along with the ASA and RNLI’s Swim Safe water safety scheme.

Second Chance to Swim ensures that any child who didn’t learn to swim during their primary school intensive swimming programme gets another opportunity to learn. Currently all children between the ages of seven and 11 receive a course of swimming lessons but around 40 per cent still can’t swim 25 metres to the nationally recognised level having done the course.

Swim Safe For Schools is a free outdoor swimming and water safety programme for children in Key Stages 2 and 3 and involves one hour sessions that teach children vital skills for staying safe while having fun in the water.

The free sessions will take place at Tinside Lido and Mountwise swimming pool. The sessions are practical, interactive, educational and fun and each includes a land-based safety lesson with a lifeguard and in-water tuition with a swimming teacher. Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with t-shirt are all provided.

Councillor Terri Beer, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “We are lucky enough to have access to beaches and many open stretches of water so it is absolutely crucial we make sure all our young people are confident and safe in the water. Not only will having swimming skills keep them safe in the water, swimming is also a fantastic way to keep fit.”

The Second Chance to Swim scheme is organised by the City Council in partnership with Everyone Active, who operate the Council’s leisure facilities, Active Devon, Plymouth School Sports Partnership and the Amateur Swimming Association.

Swim Safe is provided by the ASA and RNLI and is run in partnership with The City Council and Everyone Active.

The support the Council is offering is in the form of vouchers to put against lessons and swimming sessions at several locations including the Plymouth Life Centre and also free equipment including floatation aids for very young learners.

For more information visit www.swimming.org/swimsafe