Read for Free: 2025 State of the UK Swim Industry Report

INDUSTRY VIEWS

SWIMMING: A LIFESAVING SKILL AND A LIFELONG INVESTMENT

As Chair of Governors at a primary school, I see every day how vital swimming is – not just as part of the curriculum, but as a skill that protects lives and builds confidence for life. Yet we are now facing a growing crisis in access to pools and lessons that cannot be ignored. The closure of over 500 swimming pools since 2010 – 42% of them since 2020 alone-highlights a national emergency. These aren’t just facilities lost; they are lifelines for communities and essential infrastructure for children’s health, development, and safety. Learning to swim is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental life skill. Yet nearly one in three children leave primary school unable to swim 25 metres unaided. For children like Lana, aged 9, a school swimming initiative proved life-changing. When a friend fell into a river while they were playing, it was the swimming skills Lana had gained through regular lessons that allowed her to act quickly, reach her friend, and help bring them to safety. Her story illustrates the life-saving power of accessible, school-based swim education. But swimming’s impact doesn’t stop at childhood. It helps people live longer healthier lives, supports physical rehabilitation, and combats social isolation in older adults. Regular swimmers have a 28% lower risk of early death and are 41% less likely to die from heart disease or stroke. There’s a powerful economic argument too. Every £1 invested in sport and physical activity returns £4 in social value through reduced NHS costs, stronger mental health, and increased productivity. Yet many pools are struggling under the weight of energy bills, staff shortages, and ageing infrastructure. We must act. Across the UK, some facilities are modernising through energy- efficient upgrades and digital swim lesson tools, but these innovations must be matched with national investment and policy backing. To secure the future of swimming, I believe we need: 1. Nationally funded access to primary school swimming – including transport and pool hire. 2. Targeted capital investment in upgrading and reopening community pools. 3. Incentivised workforce development to address lifeguard and swim instructor shortages. 4. Cross-sector partnerships to deliver inclusive, sustainable swimming provision. 5. A national reframing of swimming as essential public health infrastructure, not optional leisure. Swimming saves lives, improves lives, and strengthens communities. We must protect it – for children like Lana, and for every generation to come.