Danish organisations set first national swimming targets to reduce drownings

Four Danish organisations have launched the country’s first national swimming proficiency guidelines, aiming to cut the roughly 100 annual drowning deaths in coastal waters, lakes, harbours, and pools.

The recommendations, developed by TrygFonden, SvømDanmark (formerly Dansk Svømmeunion), DGI, and Dansk Skoleidræt, set minimum benchmarks for children, adolescents, and adults. An adult should be able to swim at least 200 metres nonstop without aids—including 25 metres on their back—and rescue an unconscious person in water using a flotation device. Children aged 12 should swim 75 metres unaided.

René Højer, TrygFonden’s project lead, called the targets a “compass” for swimming clubs and school programmes. “This isn’t a quick fix,” he said. “But with clear goals and key stakeholders on board, we’re moving in the right direction.”

A 2025 Epinion survey for TrygFonden found only 43% of Danish adults meet the 200-metre standard. Schools will play a central role in implementation, with 82% of primary schools already offering swimming instruction. Bjørn Friis Neerfeldt, head of Dansk Skoleidræt, said the guidelines give educators a stronger framework to improve water safety education.