One in five adults have no swimming ability whatsoever while a third don’t feel confident in the water, according to new research.
Shocking research has revealed that nearly nine million Brits can’t swim. The study found that almost one in five adults have no swimming skills at all, a third lack confidence in the water, and some will only dare to venture into the shallow end. Despite swimming and water safety being part of the national curriculum, one in five adults said they weren’t offered lessons at school.
On top of this, a quarter of adults didn’t receive any instruction from their parents because they couldn’t swim either. The research was commissioned by easyJet holidays to kick off Swim School – an initiative offering free swimming lessons to 1,000 adults across the UK before the summer holidays.
The programme has been developed in collaboration with Triple Olympic Champion Tom Dean, national swim provider Better, and the Royal Life Saving Society UK.
Tom Dean, who has spoken to Parliament about water safety, said: “As an Olympic swimmer, I know the importance of learning water safety skills and am passionate about ensuring everyone across Britain has access to basic swimming competencies.
“Whether it’s staying with a buddy, knowing your limits, or sticking to areas where you can stand, it’s never too late to learn how to swim.”
Over 100 public pools have shut down across the UK in the past two decades – with the average pool now 4.3 miles from people’s homes. For some, the nearest swimming pool is over 10 miles away.
Alarmingly, this gap could widen in the future, with 14 percent of parents confessing they haven’t signed their children up for swimming lessons. A fifth claim they don’t have the time to take their kids or point to high costs as a significant obstacle.
However, many parents don’t plan to teach their children how to swim, with some unable to do so because they can’t swim themselves, with some under the impression that swimming is too dangerous.
Nearly one in five are too frightened to enter the pool at all, while some have completely avoided beach holidays due to this fear.
This often leaves parents feeling anxious about their children swimming while on holiday, as they worry they wouldn’t be able to help if something went wrong.
Safety isn’t the only concern though, a quarter of parents say their lack of swimming ability affects how much they enjoy their holidays, as many wish they could join their children or grandchildren in the pool but feel unable to do so.
However, over a third of non-swimmers would seize the opportunity to take adult swimming lessons, acknowledging that their lack of skill leaves them feeling vulnerable.
Matt Callaghan, chief operating officer at easyJet Holidays, commented: “We know how much Brits love their summer beach holidays to Europe’s favourite destinations.
“That’s why it’s so important to us to highlight the surprisingly high number of adults who can’t swim – something we’re determined to help change.
“By improving safety and helping more people fully enjoy the water, we’re also offering a life skill that lasts far beyond the holiday itself. We’re thrilled to partner with Olympic athlete Tom Dean and the Royal Life Saving Society UK to offer 1,000 British adults the opportunity to learn to swim.
“Together, we’re taking a meaningful step towards closing the gap and giving more people the confidence and freedom to enjoy the water – on holiday and at home.”