People across Fife are taking to the pool in record number thanks to our swimming programme.

We are celebrating the success of its Learn to Swim programme designed by Scottish Swimming, the national governing body for swimming, as nearly 6,500 adults and youngsters take advantage of the programme delivered in trust facilities across the region.

The Learn to Swim programme offers people of all ages, from babies to older adults, to get in the water and progress seamlessly through  class levels, either building confidence, becoming a competent swimmer, progressing onto club level or learning new disciplines like water polo or Rookie Lifeguard training.

In addition, children benefit from a membership scheme which will allow them free recreational swimming in any of our swimming pools as long as they are enrolled in the Learn to Swim programme.

Lee Cunningham, aquatics co-ordinator for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: “It’s a great result that since its launch, the Learn to Swim programme has seen a 10 per cent increase in participants – it demonstrates that the programme offers a host of benefits to participants.

“Since its launch two years ago, the programme has improved for all levels, and, we are able to offer reduced class sizes and a clearer pathway through levels with detailed feedback on how learners participants are progressing.

“Parents enrolling children into the programme also benefit from easier registration and payment methods which should make getting their child involved in the programme much more convenient.”

Scott Urquhart, sports and physical activity team manager for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, added: “Scottish Swimming’s national programme offers the trust a great opportunity to engage even more people in swimming – it is a fantastic form of physical activity for all ages, and, the offer of free recreational swimming for young people is a real boost to get more people more active more of the time.”

For further details on the Learn to Swim programme, visit fifeleisure.org.uk/swimming-lessons