Olympians Inspire the Next Generation of Swimmers

Young swimmers in East Renfrewshire had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim alongside Olympic and Paralympic champions during a landmark event celebrating East Renfrewshire’s contribution to a national learn-to-swim programme. 

This special event yesterday at Barrhead Foundry Sports Centre in Learn to Swim Month recognised Enjoy East Ren’s achievement in being named 2025 Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year.

More than 100 excited children took part in this special pool celebration, joined by decorated Olympian Duncan Scott OBE and Paralympic medallist Toni Shaw – both official ambassadors for the national Learn to Swim programme. 

Now delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in more than 165 pools across Scotland, the Learn to Swim National Framework is a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, designed to create "Generation Swim", a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers. 

The Provider of the Year title was awarded to swimming lessons provider, Enjoy East Ren in recognition of its outstanding commitment to delivering a high-quality, inclusive programme. They not only provide thousands of people of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to build vital life skills, but also create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment where every individual can thrive. 

A particular highlight is the Enjoy East Ren dedicated intervention team, which ensures children and adults feel supported on their journey through the pathway, making it a truly progressive and positive experience. 

Duncan Scott OBE said: “It’s a real privilege as Learn to Swim ambassador to attend this celebration event. Meeting all the young swimmers in East Renfrewshire has been a brilliant way to celebrate the achievements of the children, teachers and co-ordinators involved in the Enjoy East Ren programme. These sessions go way beyond technique, they’re about helping kids become safer, and more confident in and around the water.

“I am excited to see the next generation enjoying their swimming journeys and to know that the programme is creating such a strong foundation for lifelong fitness and wellbeing.”

Paralympic Medallist Toni Shaw, who came through a mainstream Learn to Swim programme added: “Swimming is so powerful and transformational in shaping confidence, friendships and ambition and Learn to Swim continues to provide those opportunities.”

“Having been through a Learn to Swim programme myself, I know first hand the benefits of safety, confidence and social skills that swimming can bring. While not everyone is destined for the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics, everyone can learn to swim and it opens up so many opportunities in life.”

The celebration event falls at the end of Learn to Swim Month, a national initiative to raise awareness of the importance of learning to swim and the positive role it plays in promoting physical and mental wellbeing from a young age.

Enjoy East Ren currently supports more than 4000 children and adults each week through its Learn to Swim programme, providing hundreds of lessons across the area to help individuals develop key life-saving skills such as floating, stroke technique and water confidence.

Karen Baxter, Swimming Development Manager for Enjoy East Ren said: “We are incredibly proud to win Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year and be part of a national initiative, which continues to transform lives here in East Renfrewshire and across Scotland. Seeing Duncan and Toni interact with the children today has been a fantastic experience and it has been equally rewarding for the staff, who are passionate and committed every week to ensure the highest standards of instruction and safety. 
 
“Swimming brings so much joy and confidence to children and today is a perfect example of that.”

Since its inception, the Learn to Swim Framework has already helped more than 220,000 children and adults across Scotland to become more confident in the water and continues to play a central role in tackling drowning prevention and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles.

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: “An event like this is a great way to recognise and celebrate the good work Enjoy East Ren is doing in their drive to encourage as many people as possible into the pool - learning to swim is such an important safety skill. 

“Our Learn to Swim ambassadors, Duncan and Toni play a vital role in continuing to inspire and motivate children and adults of all ages and abilities across the country to learn to swim.

“Seeing the enthusiasm and progress of children in East Renfrewshire is proof that the Learn to Swim programme is making a real and lasting difference.”

John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “The National Learn to Swim Framework continues to develop and go from strength to strength. Events like this showcase not only the energy and enthusiasm of our young swimmers but also the quality and dedication of local providers like Enjoy East Ren. 

“Duncan and Toni are excellent role models who continue to inspire youngsters to stay active and safe in the water. I am extremely proud of the Learn to Swim programme and all the work delivered by partner providers to keep children and adults safer, confident and competent in water.

"Learn to Swim is a National Framework committed to creating supportive, inclusive and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability, or skill level. It aims to develop confident, safer and competent swimmers, as well as allowing people to enjoy the wider health, fitness and social benefits swimming can offer."

Over 88,600 children and adults across Scotland currently take part in swimming lessons and benefit from the Learn to Swim framework week in and week out. Learn to Swim month this September has allowed us to shine a spotlight on the great work of providers across Scotland to ensure people of all ages and abilities become safer and confident swimmers.

 

To find out more about the Learn to Swim programme, visit: https://www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim