By Joe McCann
A NEW council initiative is on the cards to ensure that every child in the borough can swim.
Councillors have agreed to establish new swimming programmes to chart the availability of swimming lessons in Ards and North Down, the barriers that exist preventing children learning to swim and then the development of a strategy.
The motion was brought forward by DUP councillors James Cochrane and Nigel Edmund and was discussed at the Active and Healthy Communities Committee last week.
Councillor Cochrane said swimming was not only a sport but ‘a vital life skill, a fundamental safety measure, particularly in a borough like Ards and North Down, where we have a substantial beautiful coastline’.
He told members that drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among children across the UK and many incidents occur in open water when young people overestimate their ability or fail to recognise the dangers. He added that swimming improves physical and mental health, builds confidence and provides an inclusive way for children with additional needs to stay active.
The motion received unanimous support and will now go before a meeting of the full council for ratification. Afterwards, council officials will gather information to assess whether there are barriers such as cost, transport or availability preventing families from accessing lessons.
The first stage would involve mapping all swimming lessons and water safety programmes across the borough, including open water education. The second would, depending on the findings, possibly lead to a strategy to address any obstacles identified.
The DUP man said the motion would allow the council to take a leadership role by working with partners such as Swim Ulster, the RNLI, local leisure centres and the Education Authority to ensure no child missed out on learning to swim. Councillor Edmund highlighted the rise in cold water swimming since the pandemic, saying more people were now entering the sea at all times of the year. He said this had brought mental health benefits for many but also new safety risks, particularly for those unfamiliar with local tides and currents.
He called for greater sharing of local knowledge, including information boards and closer links with swimming groups, to improve awareness and prevent accidents.
Independent councillor Wesley Irvine said the borough was fortunate to have strong swimming facilities, including the Aurora Centre and Ards Blair Mayne Leisure Centre, and two established swimming clubs, but supported exploring any potential gaps.
DUP councillor Jennifer Douglas said Ards and North Down’s ‘beautiful and outstanding’ swimming areas attracted people from across the region and that safety needed to remain a top priority. She suggested improved signage warning of tides, currents and soft sand could help prevent incidents.
UUP councillor David Chambers said he had previously taught children to swim and backed the motion, proposing that the council consider holding open-water safety sessions twice a year to promote awareness among residents.
SDLP councillor Joe Boyle also supported the motion, recalling a recent incident when he and deputy Mayor Vicky Moore helped rescue a person in difficulty at Strangford Lough.
