Swim Safely this Summer

As we head into the Spring and Summer months thinking about water safety is vital to ensure all children and adults enjoy the water safely.

In October 2023 Swim England cited 1 in 4 primary school children currently leave school unable to swim competently. This is expected to rise to 3 in 5 children by 2025. The expectation is all children can swim 25m by the end of primary school. While swimming lessons are compulsory for primary aged children on the school curriculum, there are many local authority owned swimming pools closing down.

As we approach summer where visits to local rivers and lakes, to holidays with indoor or outdoor pools and visits to the sea, swimming safely in the water is essential.

Learning to swim and enjoying swimming safely is our passion at Billie’s Fins.

Here are our top tips to swim safely in the water:

1. Never leave a non swimmer or child(ren) in water unattended, make sure there is an adult present at all times. If you are a parent who didn’t learn to swim, it’s never too late. We have a dedicated Adult Fins swimming programme to teach you from beginner to a confident swimmer.
2. Always enter the water slowly and carefully and never jump from heights. There can be strong moving currents or rocks which can’t be seen from height.
3. Research local information and conditions and also check where the Life Guard stations are located.
4. Stay within reach of others and also where you can stand in the water.
5. Ask yourself are you a really good swimmer? It might have been sometime since you last swam any distance. 
6. Remember to pack the correct fitting life vest or arm discs on holiday as children can get tired after a long time in the water.
7. Get familiar with the area; pool and poolside. Check where the deep end and shallow end is, where the step access is, and where the lifeguards are located.
8. Choose a safe spot for a meeting point in case children get lost.
9. Enter the water with your child for the first time and practice blowing bubbles and star floats.
10. Ease children into a new pool area with a gentle swim at the shallow end. 

Whatever age or ability at Billie’s Fins we have a unique Swim Pathway which is designed to support you from beginner through to pre competition level. You can join group classes or private classes at our pools in Pinchbeck, Spalding and Eye and Orton in Peterborough.

School Water Safety Talks

Water Safety Week is 18-25 June (also known as Drowning Prevention Week.) We have a team of experienced swimming teachers across all ages and abilities from 3 months through to adults. During May, June and July the team are available to visit your School for a special assembly of specific year group to talk about Water Safety. Our team are local to the area and all hold enhanced DBS’s. Please contact us to arrange a Water Safety Talk.