Making waves: swimming classes for varsity youngsters start in Wales

Nofio Ysgol is a common programme the place pupils will find out about water confidence, self-rescue and fundamental swimming competence

Nine native authorities will probably be concerned within the first part, beginning this September, earlier than a full rollout throughout Wales over the following three years.

Nofio Ysgol was formally launched on Wednesday (twenty third) with a go to to Penlan Leisure Centre in Swansea by the First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, and the Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, the place pupils from a neighborhood faculty have been collaborating in swimming classes.

Speaking on the launch, the First Minister mentioned:

“Learning to be safe and confident around water is a key life skill and one which you can use from childhood through the rest of your life. It’s been great to speak to pupils here in Penlan today and to see the school children enjoy their lesson and build their confidence in the pool. 

“I look forward to seeing Nofio Ysgol grow across the whole of Wales so that all children have the opportunity to learn and develop skills that could one day save their life.”

The Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, said:

“It’s so necessary that youngsters in all components of Wales be taught worthwhile swimming and water security expertise. However, this programme is about greater than swimming. It is about giving each pupil in Wales a basis to develop lifelong habits that helps their bodily and psychological wellbeing. 

“This phased rollout means we can learn what works best as we prepare to extend this universal programme to every local authority in Wales by 2028. I want to thank Swim Wales and the nine pathfinder authorities for their work in preparing to deliver this scheme.”

Fergus Feeney, Chief Executive of Swim Wales, mentioned:

“Nofio Ysgol represents a significant step forward in ensuring every child in Wales has the opportunity to learn essential swimming and water safety skills. Being able to swim is not only important for health and wellbeing, it is a life-saving skill that can give children confidence in and around water throughout their lives.

We are immensely proud to be delivering this landmark programme alongside the Welsh Government and our pathfinder local authorities. 

Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact Nofio Ysgol will have on tens of thousands of young people and their families in communities across Wales.”

The 9 native authorities are: Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Wrexham, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff.