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Free swimming fun: Augsburg's children dive into the outdoor pool!
Children up to 18 years of age receive free entry to Augsburg's outdoor pools from July 31st to September 15th to promote swimming skills.
Free swimming fun: Augsburg's children dive into the outdoor pool!
In Augsburg, children and young people can look forward to a special holiday highlight from July 31st: swimming without having to pay admission! From July 31st to September 15th, everyone under the age of 18 has free access to the municipal outdoor pools Fribbe, Bärenkellerbad and Familienbad. The Haunstetter natural outdoor swimming pool is excluded from this as it is not part of the municipal facilities. This initiative pursues an important goal: to help families who cannot afford regular visits to the outdoor pool and at the same time to promote the swimming skills of the youngest. That's what she reports Augsburger Allgemeine.
The positive effect of the regulation was already evident last season, when 45,000 free tickets were given to children and young people. Sports speaker Jürgen K. Enninger is pleased about the financial relief for families who would like to stay in Augsburg during the summer holidays and use the outdoor swimming pools. “We have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to swimming skills,” emphasizes Enninger, referring to long waiting lists for swimming courses. The aim of this campaign is to learn to swim and to stop the decline in swimmers.
Street workers for more safety
In order to avoid conflicts and unsafe situations in the outdoor pools, the city also relies on the support of the city youth group. Street workers will be actively present in the city's pools, particularly to get in touch with young people. Marlene Mechold, chairwoman of the city youth group, emphasizes that we are present where young people spend their free time and where other offers of help often do not reach them. This followed an increase in police operations at outdoor pools in 2023. Last season brought pleasing results: instead of 40 operations, there were only nine.
These measures are part of a broader debate about the future of swimming pools in Germany. Loud n-tv The Left and various organizations have campaigned for free entry for children to swimming pools, while at the same time many swimming pools need to be renovated. As the figures show, every second swimming pool is in need of renovation and since 2000 around 40 pools have been closed every year. This could, among other things, affect children's swimming skills: 58% of primary school students cannot swim safely at the end of their schooling.
An important step for society
With this campaign, the city of Augsburg is not only responding to the financial challenges faced by families, but also to the increase in swimming accidents in Bavarian waters. Swimming pools are an important part of public services, and the measures taken here are a step in the right direction. The evaluation of the project with the street workers is planned for autumn and could provide further important insights into how young people can be better reached and safety in outdoor pools can be increased.
With the start of the holidays, you can now head to the outdoor pools - an invitation to all children and young people to enjoy the sun and the water and maybe even gain a little swimming ability at the same time. Who knows, maybe the next seahorse isn't far away!