Young Swimmers Compete to Design Cap for Learn to Swim’s 10th Anniversary

Young swimmers across Scotland have the opportunity to showcase their creativity in a new competition celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Learn to Swim programme. Launched as part of Learn to Swim Month, this initiative invites children to design a commemorative swim cap, with the winning entry to be unveiled by Olympic medallist Duncan Scott and Paralympic champion Toni Shaw during an event later this year.

The Learn to Swim programme, a collaboration between Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming, has successfully taught swimming skills to over 210,000 children and adults. It aims to enhance water safety and build confidence in the water, making it one of Scotland’s most impactful initiatives. The competition serves as a way to commemorate the programme’s achievements while allowing young participants to express what swimming means to them—whether through themes of fun, freedom, learning, or adventure.

Duncan Scott, Scotland’s most decorated Olympian, commented on the programme’s success, saying, “The success of the Learn to Swim programme over the past decade has been phenomenal. We’ve reached hundreds of thousands of young people and are continuing to grow year after year. What I really love is just how inclusive it is, welcoming children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”

The competition will run throughout September, with entries accepted from children currently enrolled in the Learn to Swim programme via an online form. A panel of judges, including representatives from both Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, will select the winning design. The chosen designer will not only receive a unique cap featuring their artwork but also a goodie bag and the chance to see their design produced in limited quantities for learners at their respective swim providers.

Toni Shaw, who has been an ambassador for the initiative since 2021, expressed her enthusiasm for the competition. “This is such a fun way to celebrate the past 10 years and really mark the occasion in style. I can’t wait to see the creative designs the children come up with,” she said.

The Learn to Swim programme is currently offered by 38 leisure trusts across 167 pools in Scotland, providing swim lessons to approximately 84,000 participants each week. The initiative has plans to expand its reach by an additional 50,000 by 2028.

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, emphasized the significance of the programme’s 10-year milestone: “The Learn to Swim programme represents an opportunity to celebrate all the great work that’s been done so far. Everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland’s miles of rivers, lochs, reservoirs, and shorelines safely and with confidence.”

Since its inception, the Learn to Swim Framework has prioritized inclusive access, enabling over 2,700 children with disabilities to participate, with more than 80% now swimming in mainstream lessons. John Lunn, Chief Executive at Scottish Swimming, noted that the anniversary offers a moment to reflect on the programme’s journey and achievements.

The official 10th Anniversary Celebration Event, where the winning design will be revealed, is scheduled for October 30, 2023, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. This event will bring together key partners and supporters to celebrate a decade of progress in water safety, inclusion, and physical literacy.

Entries for the competition are now open, and interested participants can find more information and submit their designs at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VNSDM2W. For further details about the Learn to Swim Framework, visit www.learn2swim.scot.