Closed pools, hardly any swimming lessons, cold water – little swimmers have had a hard time in recent years. But with the slow ebbing of the corona pandemic, more children have learned to swim again.
In 2022, a total of 78,716 swimming badges were taken – more than twice as many as a year earlier, said the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) in Bad Nenndorf. In 2021 there were 38,112.
Backlog is “still significant”
“We are approaching the level before the pandemic,” said DLRG President Ute Vogt. She also said: “The backlog from baths that have been closed for a long time is still significant.” Because the result is still almost 14 percent below that of 2019.
According to its own statements, the DLRG is the largest water rescue organization in the world with over 1.8 million members – and the largest private provider of swimming training.
The rescuers also referred to a Forsa survey published in January – according to which every fifth elementary school child cannot swim. Five years earlier, the proportion of small non-swimmers was still ten percent.
Even with the basic skills for swimming, for which there is the seahorse badge, things looked rather bleak: In 2017, 69 percent of primary school children were still able to show the seahorse, in the past year it was only about every second child.
Sought Badges
But the seahorses in particular are on the up: “We are even above the figures for 2019 there – even though lower water and air temperatures and occasionally completely closed baths were a hindrance as a result of the energy crisis,” emphasized Vogt. The trainers also noticed: “The children are frozen through at some point and have to get out earlier,” said DLRG swimming instructor Arne Grosser recently. “Then it takes longer than usual to reach the course target.”
Vogt spoke of a “catching-up process”. 56,248 seahorses were awarded last year, 55 percent more than in 2021 (36,368) and even 17 percent more than in 2019 (48,243). According to the DLRG, however, children only become safe swimmers when they have passed the test for the bronze badge, the so-called free swimmer. And only a good 40 percent of ten-year-olds would have this badge. “But it should be 100 percent,” demanded Vogt.
She made it clear: “But this requires more water surfaces and qualified teachers as well as more political commitment to create the conditions for both.” Only schools could reach all children, so they must be able to give as many swimming lessons as necessary. The association of municipal companies recently spoke of a “wake-up call for politicians” in view of the many non-swimmers and unsafe swimmers among children and young people.
More lifeguards again
Another good sign: More lifeguards have been trained. Because of the pool closures, according to the DLRG, only half as many lifeguards as usual were trained over a period of two years. Now the trend is obviously going in the other direction again – last year 50 percent more lifeguards were trained than in 2021. However, this was still 10 percent less than in 2019. Nevertheless, Vogt said: “That makes us optimistic that this year we will be completely can turn the tide.” But it will take time to catch up.
Lifeguards and other associations want to show how important it is to be able to swim safely with the first nationwide swimming badge day on May 21: Then examiners should take the swimming badge in many outdoor and indoor pools. Vogt emphasized: “For one day, swimming will be the focus.”
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