Suffolk leisure boss urges parents to prioritise water safety as drowning figures soar
It's also as temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees this weekend.
A Suffolk leisure centre boss is urging families to take water safety seriously this summer, especially for children who missed out on vital swimming lessons during the pandemic.
Across the country, child drowning figures more than doubled between 2020 and 2023.
And in 2024 , figures show 136 people died by drowning just in England in'
"More important than ever"
Tracey Loynds, Operations Director at Abbeycroft Leisure, says the impact of Covid means “it's more important than ever” to give children the tools to stay safe around water.
“Over 400 people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK each year,” she said. “Since Covid, we’ve seen the number of children who weren’t given the opportunity to swim for up to two years are maybe shying away from coming to a swimming lesson as they feel a little bit older than the other young people."
As a result, she feels some older children may now be reluctant to start lessons, but Abbeycroft has classes specifically for them, so they feel comfortable and can learn how to be safe.
“We actually have classes targeted to children from seven years plus for those early stages, so they feel that they’re with their peers,” Tracey said. “Once they’ve overcome the nervousness of being in the water, they move through the programme really quickly, and that does their self-confidence the world of good.”
Water safety skills
Abbeycroft, which runs six pools across Suffolk, uses Drowning Prevention Week to highlight key life-saving skills.
“We try to make drowning prevention really, really fun,” she said. “We teach things like the water safety code, sculling, treading water, and even doggy paddle. You don’t need to be a great swimmer. Floating and doggy paddle can be key to saving your life.
"Children wear their pyjamas over their swimwear, which they love, and we show them that being safe in the water can actually be enjoyable. It’s all about building their confidence and showing them techniques they can use if they ever get into trouble."
And it's not just pools Tracey’s team prepares children for.
“We’re really lucky in Suffolk, we have coasts just an hour away, rivers, and paddleboarding is so popular,” she said. “So ensuring that children are confident in any water is critical.”
She added:
“Not many coastlines have lifeguards patrolling all areas, but they will have beach flags. It’s usually the children telling the parent, ‘Mum, I should be swimming here because that’s where I’m going to be the safest.’”