Introduction: An Alarming Trend
In recent years, a worrying trend has emerged: fewer and fewer children in Germany are able to swim safely. Studies and organizations are sounding the alarm, because swimming is not just a popular leisure activity, but a vital life skill. But why are more children feeling insecure in the water or unable to swim at all? And what can parents actively do to counteract this?
Learning to Swim: More Than Just a Sport
Being able to swim means much more than just moving through the water. It is an essential foundation for safety in and around water. According to the German Life Saving Association (DLRG), hundreds of drowning accidents occur each year — many of which could be avoided if the individuals involved could swim safely.
Moreover, swimming promotes children’s physical development, coordination, endurance, and self-confidence. It is therefore not only a safety factor but also an important contribution to healthy development.
Causes: Why Are Children’s Swimming Skills Declining?
1. Closure of Public Pools
One of the main causes is the continuous decline in public swimming pools. Many municipalities are forced to close pools or drastically reduce opening hours due to financial constraints. As a result, there are fewer local opportunities for children to learn to swim.
2. Lack of Swimming Courses and Long Waiting Lists
The demand for swimming lessons is high, but the available courses can barely keep up. Waiting times for a course spot can extend to several months or even years in some areas. A shortage of trained swimming instructors further exacerbates the problem.
3. Changing Leisure Habits
In the past, children spent much of their free time outdoors, playing by the water or visiting the local pool with their families. Today, screens, social media, and video games compete for children’s attention, often pushing swimming into the background.
4. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation even further. Pools were closed for long periods, and courses were canceled or offered only in limited form. Many children born between 2019 and 2022 had no chance to learn swimming on time.
5. Lack of Awareness
Parents often underestimate the importance of their children learning to swim early and properly. Many believe, “Splashing around is enough.” However, playing in the shallow end is no substitute for solid swimming education.
Consequences: Dangerous Insecurity in the Water
A child who cannot swim safely is constantly at risk in the water. Even shallow bodies of water or pools carry dangers. Insecure swimmers are prone to panic, increasing the risk of accidents.
Children who cannot swim also suffer socially: they often feel left out when friends go to the pool or join school excursions.
What Parents Can Do: Active Action is Needed
1. Start Early
Even toddlers can be playfully accustomed to water. Water familiarization courses help children lose their fear of the element and develop a good feel for water.
2. Take the Initiative
Waiting for a formal swimming course is not the only solution. Parents can teach their children the basics themselves: diving, floating, first swimming movements. Patience, praise, and safety — supported by effective swimming aids — are key.
Excellent support is also available through online swim courses like Only-Water, which guide parents in teaching their children to swim independently and safely.
3. Use Public Pools
Take every opportunity to visit the pool with your child. Repetition and practice are essential. Even if at first it is just about playing and splashing: every minute in the water builds security.
4. Set a Good Example
Children learn most by observing. Parents who swim enthusiastically themselves and model a positive attitude toward swimming naturally motivate their children.
5. Consider Private Lessons
If public swim courses are unavailable, private swim instruction can be an option. Many experienced swim teachers offer one-on-one lessons tailored to the needs of individual children.
Learning to Swim is an Investment in the Future
Learning to swim means not only safety but also joy, independence, and health. Children who learn to swim securely move safely and confidently around water as adults.
Parents can play a decisive role in passing on this vital skill. Even if circumstances are sometimes challenging: every invested minute pays off many times over — for the safety and self-confidence of their child.
Conclusion: Act Now, Don’t Wait
The decline in children’s swimming skills is a serious societal issue, but not an unavoidable fate. Parents have the power to make a difference — through early water familiarization, active practice, support from programs like Only-Water, and by setting a positive example themselves.
Take the first step. Because a safe child in the water is a happy child.
Learn more now at Only-Water.help and support your child on their journey to becoming a confident swimmer!