Previously. Yes, many things were better in the past, one or the other will now think. Almost all fourth graders used to know how to swim. Today not even half of them can do it.
Current figures from the statistical annual report of the DLRG: 50% fewer children nationwide (only at the DLRG!) were able to take part in beginner swimming training in 2020 compared to the previous year due to the pandemic. That is 70,000 children in absolute numbers.
For the bronze swimming badge, there are 70% fewer participants (children, young people and adults). That's a total of 30,000 people who were unable to pass the safe swimming level.
There is a great danger to this statistic. In summer children are in the outdoor pool, in the colder season in the indoor swimming pools and fun pools. Jump into the water with a running start, bathing friends will be splashed wet. Huge fun - just less for the kids who can't swim properly. The DLRG Bezirk Niederes Elbtal e.V. raises the alarm and expresses concern and also appeals to the parents.
"The conditions must be created so that more children can learn to swim again!"
But the situation is tough. From year to year there are fewer swimming pools. Some have had to close in recent years because maintaining these pools has simply become too expensive to maintain. And the wave will continue. Due to the pandemic, some bathhouses will also have to close in the coming period. As a result, elementary schools can no longer offer swimming together.
From non-swimmers to swimmers
"Mr. Richter, you are the technical director of training at the DLRG Bezirk Niederes Elbtal e.V.. Parents should pay more attention to children learning to swim properly than just in fun pools slide down tunnels and splash around in shallow water?”
“One does not exclude the other. Sliding and splashing are part of getting used to the water and this in turn is a prerequisite for learning to swim. With us, the demand for seahorse courses is extremely high. This shows that the majority of parents are aware of this responsibility. Unfortunately, the parents don't have the options, because the capacities for swimming courses here in the region and also nationwide are simply not sufficient. However, parents should note, especially with children who have discarded the seahorse, that swimming is still being trained. One speaks of a safe swimmer only after acquiring the swimming badge in bronze. Incidentally, this also applies to adults, some of whom carelessly overestimate their own swimming abilities.”
"What courses do you offer outside of school swimming?"
"We can't offer the classic school swimming at all, we don't have the staff for that, because everyone works on a voluntary basis. Our seahorse courses are conducted independently of school swimming. But we also offer courses for all swimming levels and lifeguard certificates, depending on age. We also have a strong competition group that achieves great success in national and international rescue sports.
In addition to swimming, we offer first-aid training and the necessary training for our emergency services in the water rescue service and civil protection."
"Is your offer aimed exclusively at children or can older people also take courses with you?"
"For the classic swimming badges, yes. For the youngsters we have the youth action team and the competition groups. We unfortunately lack the staff to offer adult swimming lessons even if there is a need. Adult members can still train with us in "free training". However, anyone who meets the relevant requirements can take part in the courses for lifeguards.”
"Are you worried about the future of swimming lessons?"
"Yes, in the wake of the swimming pools dying, we are very worried about the future of swimming lessons. The distances for the pupils to the swimming pools are becoming too long, so that school swimming is increasingly being removed from the timetable. The pandemic is making the problem even worse. Not only that no club and school swimming can take place right now, we are currently unable to carry out lifeguard training. It is not clear when the current "backlog" in beginner swimming will be cleared.
Anyone who would like to support us in this work is welcome to contact us. Extensive coaching experience is not absolutely necessary for this.”
DLRG water rats or dry swimmers wanted
The DLRG Bezirk Niederes Elbtal e.V. has existed since 1913 and has over 350 members. Young people between the ages of 13 and 17 can join the Youth Action Team, or JET for short. Here you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in water rescue as a young person. JET has set itself the goal of successfully completing specialist training in the water rescue service. In addition to theoretical lessons, the youth team attaches great importance to practical knowledge transfer for the water rescue service. In many practical and fun training afternoons, the JET'ler learns the basics of lifeguards, sparks and first aid.
Anyone else who is interested in joining and becoming part of the largest voluntary water rescue organization in the world is very welcome.
It doesn't matter whether you're young or old, whether you're a water rat or a dry swimmer. Contact via [email protected]
