LEARNING to swim is not only great fun and a wonderful way to keep fit, but it's also an essential life skill. Swimming as a family can also make precious memories and bring the family together, as well as creating an encouraging ripple effect to spur everyone to have water confidence.
This summer families can avail of complementary swim sessions in a number of swimming pools in and around Belfast, courtesy of beach holiday specialists On the Beach.
Their #AllSwimclusive campaign follows research that found nearly half of parents in Belfast (40 per cent) avoid getting in the pool because they are not confident in their swimming ability. As well as lacking in confidence, it seems parents aren’t keen to improve. When further questioned, 60 per cent say that they don’t plan to learn.
Additional research revealed that 31 per cent of parents in Belfast say their child cannot swim confidently and 66 per cent say their child is a lot more confident when they are in the water with them – backing the need for a parental confidence boost.
The complimentary family swim sessions, that include both safety tips and confidence-boosting games, are available in: Avoniel Leisure Centre; Ballysillan Leisure Centre, Falls Leisure Centre, Grove Wellbeing Centre, Olympia Leisure Centre, Shankill Leisure Centre and Whiterock Leisure Centre.
Family groups, of a maximum of five, can be booked at Onthebeach.co.uk/all-swimclusive-signup.
