I've read that swimming as a sport has decreased in popularity but I don't know how you can actually measure this when there aren't a huge number of pools as so many have closed. There are always so many activities in pools to take up pool-time what with swimming clubs with all ages - juniors through to masters, and aqua-aerobics, canoeing, waterpolo, underwater hockey (octopush), synchronised swimming, pool parties etc that there can be a lot of competition for pool-time slots which leaves little time for those family swims - which are so popular and are such worthwhile family time. Fewer people will be able to swim if the facilities just aren't there. Many younger learners will not be swimming in any outdoor pools for a lot of the year because unless they can swim well they will just get cold far too quickly. This is why smaller private pools are now so popular as teaching pools including school pools.https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/london-s-first-olympicsized-pool-in-decades-is-open-6745792.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_long-course_swimming_pools_in_the_United_Kingdom#See_alsoEaling's Gurnell looks as though it will soon go on site. There will be many children who have not had the chance to compete against each other or even learnt to swim in recent years as a result of there being fewer easily accessible public pool. Travelling miles to train before school or the office takes some dedication and more so when you rely on parents for transport. No wonder numbers are down.It's a sport that so many people of ALL AGES can and should be able to benefit from.
Philippa Bond ● 1d