29 Jun 2020
More than half of parents will send children back to swimming lessons post-lockdown
BY Tom Walker
Almost 60 per cent of UK parents plan to resume their children’s swimming lessons – even if spectator restrictions imposed to meet social distancing guidelines mean they can’t watch their child participate.
Almost a third of parents (32 per cent), however, say they would not let their child return to swimming lessons until they could watch the session.
The findings come from the Return to Swimming Lesson Survey – a national survey conducted by Leisure-net Solutions in partnership with 4global via the DataHub.
Other insights from the report, which is based on a survey of more than 47,000 parents, include that half would allow their children to return to swimming lessons as soon as they re-start, with a further 44 per cent intending to return in September.
According to Geoff Wade, active communities officer at GO Gateshead Sports and Leisure – part of the team which helped design the survey – the survey shows that parents are making their own minds over when to allow their children to return.
“It’s one thing creating and implementing guidance to manage the COVID-19 situation when we reopen pools," Wade said.
"But, as can be seen from the number of pupils returning to schools, each family will make their own risk assessment on what they are prepared to do.
"This survey will give some indication on how customers will react to the changes to swimming lessons, as well as how many will return and when."
Dave Candler, CEO of the Swiming Teachers' Association, added: “With an overwhelming 90 per cent of respondents saying they will resume swimming lessons straight away or from September is really positive news for the industry, and it will provide real encouragement to STA’s 12,500 members and swim school partners.
"Overall, while there are still many practical and financial implications that swim schools need to consider before they can safely reopen, this survey shines a positive light for all those involved in the future of swimming teaching.”
• To receive a free summary of the results – which will be made available by 23 June –
click here to register on the Leisure-net website.
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