Thousands dive in for swim class

Over 7500 people across South Lanarkshire have taken the life-changing opportunity to learn to swim, thanks to a pioneering national programme making waves in water safety and inclusion.

- ROBERT MITCHELL

The Learn to Swim National Framework, a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, has now supported 210,337 children and adults across Scotland to be safer in, on and around water over the last seven years.

Every week, 83,777 children and adults take part in Learn to Swim lessons across Scotland - a two per cent increase on last year's total.

This includes 7587 people in South Lanarkshire, which is an increase of one per cent in the last year.

The programme is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools across Scotland, including nine pools in South Lanarkshire.

Looking ahead, The Learn to Swim Framework now has ambitions to reach a further 50,000 children by 2028.

John Lunn, chief executive of Scottish Swimming, said: "This is an incredible milestone and testament to the commitment of our delivery partners and instructors across Scotland.