Program to improve swimming skills more than doubled

The immediate program to improve swimming ability is more than doubled due to the high demand and increased to a total of two million euros. Due to the corona-related closure of swimming and indoor pools, the already great need for swimming courses has increased significantly.

Around 2,000 applications in just two weeks and a swimming course for more than 12,000 children: The numbers for Immediate program to improve swimming ability are impressive. "The fact that so many applications have been received in such a short time shows the meaning and necessity of our program," says Theresa Schopper , Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, adds: "I am very pleased that the program is so well received and thank everyone involved and applicants, because they will certainly make an important contribution to getting used to our children to the water." Learning to swim and enjoy the fun on and in the water. “

The already great need for swimming courses has increased significantly due to the corona-related closure of the swimming and indoor pools, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the two swimming associations as well as the DLRG state associations Baden-Württemberg had created a "corona immediate program to improve swimming ability"-the conveyor volume was 900,000 euros. "The pot would soon be exhausted if the demand remains high, which is why we increase the funding volume by 1.1 million euros to a total of two million. Safe swimming is a basic skill that every child should master. It is therefore important to me that we as a state support and increase our funding," says Schopper.

High quality of the courses

basic requirement is a corresponding qualification of the swimming instructor, because a high quality of the courses is essential. Therefore, only swimming instructors can lead the courses with recognized training in swimming training. In addition, the content of levels one and two (getting used to the water and basic knowledge in swimming) the "Replace recommendations for swimming lessons at school" (PDF) .

"The high number of applications received and the numerous inquiries that reach us show the great commitment with which everyone involved tries to close the gap in swimming training," says Ingrid Lehr-Binder, President of the DLRG state association Baden . A big thank you goes to the operators of the bathrooms, who give the implementation of beginner swimming courses a high priority and provide sufficient water surface and water age. "This is the only way to do the large number of beginner swimming courses. Thank you for all pulling together here. Because that's in the interest of our children," says sports minister Schopper and looks at the coming weeks: "So I hope that as many swimming courses can take place during the summer vacation. Especially since I would like to see one on site."

Applications can be submitted by November 30th

Applications can only be submitted by swimming clubs, DLRG organizations and private providers (swimming schools) based in Baden-Württemberg via the immediate program of the immediate program. This is activated for applications by November 30, 2021. Subsequent funding that has already started is not possible. The duration of the swimming courses must be completed by December 31, 2021.

corona-related immediate program to improve swimming capacity

Conference of Ministers of Culture: Common recommendations for action by the Conference of Ministers of Education and the German Olympic Sports Association for the further development of school sports 2017 to 2022 (PDF)