Tampere to run record number of swimming schools after near-drowning incidents

The city of Tampere is organising more swimming schools for children and young people than ever before, with a total of 45 courses this summer, the Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

The move follows a spike in drowning-related close calls and fatalities last summer, according to the city’s leading sports instructor, Tommi Liimatta. “There have been so many near-miss situations that something has to be done. That’s why we have increased both the number and quality of swimming schools,” Liimatta said.

Preliminary data from the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (SUH) show that seven children and adolescents drowned last summer in Finland, and numerous other dangerous incidents occurred at swimming sites. In total, 45 people drowned in the country last summer.

At Tampere’s outdoor pool, several similar incidents took place during the July heatwave. Liimatta described one case in which an immigrant-background father spent a summer day with five children who could not swim. The father stayed on the grass beside the pool area while the children moved around on their own. One child jumped into the pool and was rescued by a lifeguard before sinking. In at least one other case, a child had already sunk to the bottom before being retrieved by a lifeguard.

Swimming ability among Finnish children has declined. The most recent national survey from 2022 found that only 55 percent of sixth-graders could swim, down from 76 percent in 2016. Kirsi Ala-Lipasti, a sports instructor and swimming teacher at Pyynikki swimming hall, said staff now spend more time monitoring swimmers. “I hope parents will take better care of their children at swimming sites and also teach them swimming skills,” she said.

Swimming schools also focus on so-called water competence, including how to act if falling into water, practicing with clothes on and wearing a life jacket.

After last summer, many municipalities have increased swimming instruction both in schools and in leisure time. According to SUH, about 40 percent of municipalities, including Tampere, have received project funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture to strengthen basic swimming skills.

Tampere and several other cities have specifically targeted immigrant-background residents. Several drowning incidents last summer involved immigrant-background children. Riihimäki, for example, started free swimming schools last autumn. In Tampere, beach swimming schools are offered in areas with many newcomers, and separate groups are available for adults. Some immigrants cannot use indoor swimming halls due to their religion, while a beach can be a natural place to spend time with family and learn to swim, the city noted. The Association of Finnish Municipalities said Tampere and other cities have held information sessions for immigrants about Finnish swimming hall culture.