Immigrant family praised for perseverance in swimming lessons at 11°C

An Indian-origin family in Imatra has shown exceptional determination by attending beach swimming lessons despite harsh conditions, including 11°C temperatures, cold rain, and biting wind, Yle reports.

Swimming instructor Sanna Lairola, employed by the city of Imatra, commended the family’s motivation. “Many native Finns would refuse to go in the water, but this family has already learned a great deal,” she said.

The lessons aim to improve swimming skills among immigrants, as several recent drowning accidents have involved children from immigrant backgrounds. While most drowning victims in Finland are native Finns, authorities have noted concerns over insufficient swimming ability and inexperience near water among immigrant communities.

Mohanan Manu, an engineer, and his wife Anjali Devi Mini Gopakumar moved to Finland three years ago. They initially sought swimming lessons for their 8-year-old son, Advik, but ended up joining as a family after a recommendation from local sports services. Their initial nervousness has turned into enthusiasm.

The family has learned to move in the water with floats, submerge their heads, and trust the water. Lairola noted that immigrant children often learn to swim faster than their parents, but in this case, the adults have taken the lessons seriously, partly for their child’s benefit.

Anjali Devi Mini Gopakumar said she wants to continue swimming and learn more. “In India, people who don’t live near water are often warned about it. Next time we go to India, others will see that we can swim,” she said.

Many immigrant parents are motivated by the desire to swim with their children and ensure they acquire a skill the parents themselves lack.

Nationally, about 55% of Finnish sixth-graders can swim, down from 76% in 2016. The Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation reports that 16% of primary school-aged children have attended swimming lessons, including immigrant children. However, there is no researched data on the swimming ability of immigrant children specifically.

Efforts to improve water safety include outreach through integration and reception centers, as well as language teachers informing immigrants about local swimming pools offering lessons. Research shows that a mother’s swimming ability strongly influences whether her children learn to swim.