Before Covid hit, my daughter was at the beautiful stage of just getting confident enough in the water on her own. It was amazing to see her at the tipping point of such a vital skill, and she was clearly pleased as punch. However during the various lockdowns and restrictions, pretty much all of this was reversed, and I was left with a child unable to swim.
A fear of swimming
I couldn’t believe that all her hard work had practically been erased thanks to the pandemic. Not only that, I realised she had become fearful of getting into the water unless she had me to grip on to. She was turning eight as the restrictions started to lift, and I just didn’t recognise my daughter. Not only was she unable to swim, but she had also become scared stiff of swimming.
And we were certainly not alone, because according to a study by LYCRA® and Slazenger – which have joined forces to create a great new swimwear range made with LYCRA® XTRA LIFETM fibre – 12 per cent of children are completely unable to swim, while another 20 per cent can only do so with the aid of floats or armbands.
The study also found 57 per cent of parents are worried their child’s swimming ability has suffered in the past year following pool closures and a pause on lessons due to lockdown. And 44 per cent fear their child won’t ever catch up on the time they missed in the pool as they can’t afford it. Despite 85 per cent believing it is important that their child is able to swim as it’s such as crucial – and lifesaving – skill.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 38 per cent of parents with children who are not confident swimmers worry that it is getting too late for them to learn.
It’s a cost thing
But it’s not just fear that is getting in the way of children swimming – it’s also the cost too. While 21 per cent of those parents blame their child’s lack of swimming ability on being afraid of the water, 19 per cent can’t afford to have private lessons.
As many as four in 10 parents admit even the cost of swimwear stops them from heading to the pool more often with their kids, according to the study by LYCRA® and Slazenger. It emerged 51 per cent would struggle to pay for school swimming lessons if they weren’t subsidised. And 58 per cent would be more likely to take their children swimming if it was more affordable overall.
The upshot?
As a result, 55 per cent of mums and dads rely on schools to teach their child to swim, with 16 per cent admitting school swimming lessons are the only time their child gets in the pool. A further 29 per cent of youngsters only swim when they go on holiday.
Beyond school swimming
Former British Olympian, Commonwealth champion and World Champion swimmer, kids’ trainer and mother, Katy Sexton MBE comments on the research: “School swimming isn’t enough. Schools do the best they can, but it takes an average of 20h to learn to swim and there simply isn’t enough time within the school year to reach that level.”
This is something I completely agree with. Although my daughter will be starting swimming classes this year at school, I know that it just won’t be enough to get her up to the swimming level she should be at this age. Which is why we stumped up the cash for two crash courses over the summer holidays to get her back up to a reasonable level and then a weekly swimming lesson during term time at our local pool. I won’t lie – it all adds up, but I feel so strongly that she needs this that I’m willing to take the hit.
Learning swimming should be non-negotiable
Katy continues: “Swimming is an important and potentially life-saving skill to have and should be the only after-school activity that is non-negotiable – at least until your child is at a competent level.”
Virginie Moille LYCRA® Brand states, “Unfortunately, the cost can be a major barrier, with the price of swimming lessons both privately and in school, swimwear and accessories all adding up – especially for those who have more than one child. And this is likely to have worsened for many parents who are now worse off financially as a result of the pandemic.”
Alison Glenton, representing Slazenger swimwear, comments: “Worryingly, pool and school closures during the pandemic also mean millions of children have missed out on crucial time in the water learning to swim, with the cost of catching up on this likely to mean many simply won’t be able to do.”
“As parents get ready for children to return to school, they will be hoping for an uninterrupted year to help their children get back on track with their swimming and we want to do all we can to make it as easy as possible for children to get back in the pool.”
Is your child unable to swim? Read on for Katy Sexton’s tips for parents
- It’s never too late to learn to swim. Don’t worry if your child isn’t swimming at 6 months or 6 years, it’s a skill that they, or anyone, can pick up any time.
- The lockdown has certainly had an impact, but swimming is like riding a bike – if your child had the skills before lockdown, they would pick it up again. Kids are more resilient than we sometimes give them credit for.
- Many parents don’t think twice about buying the latest branded trainers at great expense, but if you buy good quality swimwear and kit, it should last a long time. Look out for durability qualities, such as chlorine resistant fabrics and adjustable goggles, and always rinse kit with fresh water after swimming.
- Swimming lesson waiting lists can be long. Don’t wait for a spot to become available before getting your child into the water. Try to and take them swimming yourself or with other parents and friends. If they see you or other kids in the pool, enjoying it, not feeling scared, it may help to boost their confidence.
Our thoughts on Slazenger’s new range with LYCRA® XTRA LIFETM
If you are looking for cost-effective swimwear that will actually last then Slazenger’s new range should be your first port of call. Think brilliant fit, wonderful comfort and spot-on shape retention thanks to the use of LYCRA® XTRA LIFETM meaning no more embarrassingly saggy swimsuits which have completely lost the will to live before your child has outgrown them.
What has been your children’s experience of swimming during the pandemic? Do share in a comment below.
My girls already knew how to swim prior to the pandemic. I hadn’t thought about all of the kids that were in the process of learning. It makes me sad to think about how this has affected the kids.
My son got moved up to stage 7, 2 days before lockdown started, so then stopped swimming (I’d made him continue into stage 6, after initially saying he could stop once he’d achieved stage 5). I’d have liked him to continue and do rookie lifeguard but the timings wouldn’t work with work and he didn’t want to. Swimming was the one thing he had no choice over. He’s been swimming since 4 months old, although it only clicked for him once he got a year into stage 3, then luckily with small classes and a very dedicated instructor who really focused on each individual he flew. He’s got great technique and is a lot better swimmer than many of the children in his school class because his teacher would teach way ahead of the stage skills needed. It means I’m confident that he’s strong enough if he gets into trouble, but as well as being able to swim for the rest of his life. He’s not swum since lockdown started, apart from 1 playdate with a farmer friend’s son where they went swimming in their lake. He was a bit nervous and said he had to remember how to do it, but fell straight back into it.
Thankfully their school (aside from lockdown and only just going back to it this school year) gives them a lot of swimming opportunities. From Y2 to Y4, they do once a week for the full year, unless like my son’s year they’ve got a bigger year group than capacity, then they miss 1/2 a term. Hopefully he’ll go for a few sessions as a Y6 this time because they missed some of their Y4 year.
I think while some people really can’t afford to take kids swimming (because public swim sessions can be expensive), lessons don’t have to be ridiculously expensive, and it should be a priority, because you really can’t rely on busy school classes – they’re too packed to really be able to teach them properly. My son’s swimming lessons were less than a fiver a week. I think more of an issue for cost, is the lack of availability. Our town’s leisure centre lessons have huge waiting lists. And if there aren’t pools available elsewhere with lessons, it can be hard to find them.
I had no idea that swim regression was a thing during the pandemic! My in-laws have a pool and we were over at their house a few times per week when the pool was warm enough. We also don’t have swim available in schools here that I know of. You either do privately lessons or are self-/parent-taught.
I was just talking with a friend who has a four year old about the things he’s missed out on during the pandemic, but I didn’t even think about swimming! Around here, there aren’t swim lessons in school, so parents pay for lessons. I was lucky when my own daughter was learning – we had lake access and inexpensive lessons through the town rec department. But without access to lessons for so long, so many kids missed out on learning this necessary skill.
I think we can utilized private pools or swimming pools at your home. If none, use a makeshift inflated swimming pool so your child can still practice. Swimming is an essential skill / sport.
I agree that swimming is a non-negotiable thing for kids. It’s a survival skill but no rush for them and no pressure. Everyone can pick up and learn how to swim
My kids were in swimming classes to until the pandemic hit. With all the restrictions and lockdown, they could not continue but it is indeed a valuable skill. I’m glad things are a little bit better now, they’ve finished their lessons and enjoy swimming in the pool.
I learned how to swim when I was High school. It’s never too late to learn how to swim
It’s so sad that Covid has all these other after effects isn’t it. I hope there won’t be a generation of kids who aren’t confident swimmers. X
I am glad that there’s a private pool near in our place and my kids are continue to enjoy and practice to swim.
I wish this pandemic will end soon so that we are able to go to the resort again.
Swimming is such an important skill for everyone to know! It’s so sad that COVID has affected things like this.
Wow I had no clue this was happening! These are some great tips that can help kids get back on track and start swimming again.
My kids have been on the swim team for many years. When Covid hit, pools closed for a long time. Many teams shut down. Ours only practiced in the warm summer months, so my kids were basically done with swimming when covid hit over 1.5 years ago. It is so sad how many things were lost to Covid.
I have two littles and thankfully had access to a pool a few times during covid. That is so wild, and something I never thought about!
It is so sad that children suffer a lot due to pandemic.. They had to adjust and embrace the new normal setup… Good thing your daughter managed to get herself back on track.. One thing i really regret is that i never took any swimming lesson when i was a kid.. Now i do not now how to swim at all.. Yikes..
YES! My son is super afraid of swimming! Not water but the lessons oddly
Every activities really suffer especially outdoor activities. Glad that my cousin near us have a pool. We can use it anytime.
It is so important to teach children to swimand it’s sad that so many have missed out because of covid but children are great at catching up so lets get them back to it as soon as possible!