We Love Water — And That's Exactly Why We're Talking About This
By the team at Harrogate School of Swimming
Every time we hear about a water-related death, we feel it deeply. As swimming teachers, as people who have dedicated our lives to the water, and as members of a community who believe wholeheartedly in the joy and confidence that swimming brings, news like the tragedies of recent weeks stops us in our tracks. It never gets easier. It never feels less devastating.
And yet, in those moments, we are reminded of something important: the work we do here matters more than ever.
The Reality We Can't Ignore
Water is beautiful. Water is life-giving. Water brings families together, builds confidence in children, and creates memories that last a lifetime. We will never stop celebrating that. But water is also unforgiving. It doesn't discriminate. It doesn't give warnings. And it can turn a moment of joy into tragedy in seconds.
As a swim school, we see every day what water can give people. The smile on a toddler's face the first time they float independently. The pride of a child who swam their first full length. The relief of a parent watching their little one grow in confidence and capability. We love all of it.
But with that love comes responsibility. A deep, serious responsibility to educate, not just about how to swim, but about how to be safe around water.
National Drowning Prevention Week: 13 to 20 June
From 13th to 20th June it's National Drowning Prevention Week, and at Harrogate School of Swimming we'll be dedicating time in every single class that week to water safety education.
We'll be teaching our swimmers, from our youngest baby classes right through to our performance squads, the dos and don'ts of being around water. That includes never swimming alone, always having someone with you and ideally a lifeguard present. Knowing your limits, because open water behaves very differently to a pool and cold water shock can affect even strong swimmers. Respecting the flags and always following beach and open water safety signage. Knowing what to do if you see someone in trouble, which is to shout for help, signal and throw something they can hold onto rather than jumping in yourself. The Float to Live technique, which means if you get into difficulty you fight the instinct to thrash and instead float on your back, conserve energy and call for help. We also want to play a role in supporting parents to become educated about water dangers, the importance of supervising children at all times, because drowning can happen silently, in seconds, even in shallow water.
Not All Water Is Created Equal
One of the most important things we can teach families is that where you swim matters just as much as how you swim. Different bodies of water carry very different levels of risk, and understanding those differences really does matter.
Swimming pools with lifeguards are by far the safest place to swim, and for good reason. The water is clear, so a lifeguard can see a swimmer in distress immediately. The depth is marked and predictable. There are no currents, no tides, no hidden hazards beneath the surface. Temperature is controlled, so cold water shock isn't a factor. And trained lifeguards are watching at all times, ready to respond in seconds. If you or your children are swimming for leisure this summer, a lifeguarded pool should always be your first choice.
Rivers look calm on the surface, but beneath that calm lies a very different story. Currents can be strong and unpredictable, and underwater hazards like rocks, debris, weeds and submerged branches are often completely invisible. River temperatures can be shockingly cold even in summer, triggering cold water shock which causes involuntary gasping, panic and rapid exhaustion even in experienced swimmers. Depth can change dramatically and without warning. Rivers are particularly dangerous for children, who can be swept off their feet in water that appears shallow and slow-moving.
Lakes and reservoirs carry their own unique dangers. The water is often very cold year-round, even on a hot day, and the combination of cold water shock and distance from the bank has claimed many lives. Visibility underwater is often near zero. Reservoirs in particular frequently have strong underwater currents created by pumping systems that are invisible from the surface. Many are also private land, meaning there is no safety infrastructure and no one watching.
The sea demands enormous respect. Rip currents, which are fast-moving channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore, are responsible for the majority of lifeguard rescues on UK beaches every year. Tides can cut off escape routes with alarming speed. Waves can knock even strong adults off their feet. Water temperature in UK waters is cold enough to cause cold water shock even in midsummer. Always swim at an RNLI-patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags, never swim alone, and always check tide times before you go.
Our simple rule is this: if there's no lifeguard, think very carefully before you get in. That doesn't mean never enjoy open water. It means respect it, prepare for it, and never underestimate it.
What You Can Do Right Now
Water safety education doesn't stop at the poolside. Before you go near open water, check the RNLI's water safety guidance at rnli.org. If you're heading to the coast, look up the nearest RNLI station and understand the flag system before you arrive. Practice the Float to Live response with your children. Try floating on your back in the bath or pool, make it a game. It could one day save their life.
Talk openly about danger too. Children who understand risk are safer than children who are simply told not to go near water. Have honest, age-appropriate conversations about why water demands respect. And if your child can't yet swim, please do book lessons. A child who can swim confidently is safer around water. It doesn't eliminate risk, but it significantly reduces it.
From All of Us at HSOS
We started this school because we love swimming and we believe every person deserves the chance to experience that love safely. That mission hasn't changed since 2009, and it never will. To everyone affected by recent tragedies, our hearts go out to you. We carry those stories with us, and they make us more committed, not less.
This summer, please swim. Please enjoy the water. Please make memories with your families.
But please do it safely.
Join us during National Drowning Prevention Week, 13 to 20 June, as we dedicate our classes to water safety. If you have any questions about our lessons or would like to enrol your child, [get in touch](https://www.harrogateschoolofswimming.co.uk/contact) and we'd love to welcome you to the HSOS family.
For further water safety resources, visit [RNLI Float to Live](https://rnli.org/safety) and [Royal Life Saving Society UK](https://www.rlss.org.uk/).