- Frankfurt children get swimming lessons during the holidays
With the "Seahorse - Frankfurt Learns to Swim" action, around a hundred girls and boys are receiving discounted swimming lessons this summer. "Swimming is a very important sport. If you can do it, it's one of the healthiest sports there is," says Hesse's Minister of Sports Diana Stolz, who has taken on the patronage of the program. However, not being able to swim can quickly become life-threatening.
The goal of the program is to obtain the Seahorse badge. Those who have tried to enroll their child in a swimming course, for example at a club, know how rare free places are, the organizers explain. A total of 15 two-week courses are being offered in three different Frankfurt pools this summer.
Number of non-swimmers still too high
Children aged six and above can usually participate. The fee is 50 euros. Low-income parents could apply for a subsidy. The program is organized by the "Frankfurter Neue Presse", the Frankfurt Swimming School, the Frankfurt pools, and "Hitradio FFH".
"The number of non-swimmers is still too high for a country like Germany," says Michael Ulmer, sports director of the First Frankfurt Swimming Club. It is crucial that children learn to swim early and do not fear the water.
A significant impact was Corona
The 70-year-old has been active as a swimming instructor for decades. Has the swimming competence of children decreased over the years? "A significant impact was Corona." You can still feel that two or three years are missing. These gaps are still being addressed today. If you have learned to swim, you can continue to practice it - unlike some other sports - due to the joint-friendly technique even into old age.
The Commission, as part of its regulatory duties, will adopt implementing acts to outline the application rules for this Regulation. Addressing the high number of non-swimmers in Germany, Michael Ulmer, the sports director of the First Frankfurt Swimming Club, emphasizes the importance of early swimming instruction to overcome children's fear of the water.
