Low body confidence amongst mums is preventing children from learning to swim

New research by Everybody Active has revealed that a staggering one in two British mothers admit they have put off teaching their child to swim because they fear of being seen in a bathing suit. The leisure centre operator, based in Harrow Leisure Centre and Hatch End Swimming Pool, has indicated that being body conscious is a major hindrance for 53 per cent of the nation’s mothers. Nearly 40 per cent of the 1,000 mothers surveyed said they delegated swimming duties to their partner, and a quarter said they couldn’t remember the last time they went for a swim. The study by Everyone Active, who are launching women-only swimming lessons to encourage more women and mothers to feel comfortable and confident while in the water, also found a knock-on effect on children. 38 per cent of mothers expressed concerns that their child lacked confidence in the water, with an astounding one in ten revealing their child cannot swim and more than a third were unable to describe their child as a ‘strong swimmer’. Olympian Becky Adlington, who supports the Everyone Active School Swim project and runs the Becky Adlington’s Swim Stars Learn to Swim programme, commented on the research findings. To read what Becky had to say, get the August edition of My Pinner & Hatch End News.