Scots star Hannah Miley is calling for greater investment in school swimming lessons to ensure more youngsters stay safe in water.
The two-time Commonwealth champion warned rising numbers of children cannot swim confidently as cash-strapped councils are forced to close pools or slash leisure centre opening times.
Drowning rates are twice as high in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK and the swimming legend is now calling for action.
Miley, who represented Team GB at three Olympic Games, believes free lessons at primary school is the fairest way to offer all kids the chance to learn a key life skill.
She is backing a Swimming Scotland campaign calling on the SNP Government to invest £6m to fund the roll-out of a nationwide programme of lessons in schools.
A successful pilot project across nine council areas offered all pupils in primary five the opportunity to learn basic swimming skills and gain essential water safety knowledge.
Miley told the Record: “We are an island and we’re surrounded by water. Scotland has lots of beautiful scenery with lochs and rivers – and where do people go when it’s warm?
“Scotland might not have the best weather all of the time, but when it does, people flock to water. And when people go away on holiday somewhere warm, they’ll go to the beach, or to waterparks.
“Having the ability to swim is like learning to ride a bike. It’s a skill that stays with you forever. For kids not to have that skill is a life risk. The drowning statistics in Scotland are more than double that of the UK.
“But if we don’t have the structure in place to allow more kids to learn to swim, that number is never going to change.”
Miley, 35, learned to swim at her local pool in Inverurie and went on to become European champion in the individual medley.
As a young mum, she is aware that not all parents are able to afford private swimming lessons or transport to a pool depending on where they live.
Miley insisted swimming was more than a life skill but also a great way to keep fit.
“A third of children between two and 15 are at risk of obesity,” she added. “It’s about giving these kids a chance of having a healthy lifestyle. This £6m is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money that is spent through the NHS on all the health conditions that come from inactivity.
“It’s the long-term we’re looking at. It’s going to pay itself back in so many ways.”
Euan Lowe, Scottish Swimming chief executive, said: “A huge effort has gone into developing the National Primary School Swimming Framework and there has been significant demand from local authorities across the country.
“It’s frightening the number of children who cannot swim in Scotland. It is imperative we teach those basic swimming skills at a young age.
“We now need the government to commit to investment and support for a national roll out of school swimming to ensure fair and equitable access to basic swimming skills which will keep our children safer in, on and around water.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to learn to swim – a life skill that can save lives.
“The Scottish Government has been working with partners on providing opportunities for children to become confident, safer and competent swimmers. Health Secretary Neil Gray is scheduled to meet Scottish Swimming shortly to discuss this.”
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