Swimming is not the in-thing this summer

The popular belief that swimming pools are the most frequented places during summer months has become a thing of the past. This year, there is lukewarm response at summer camps across the city’s best swimming centres.

“Two years ago, when recession was at its peak, people travelled less and as a result, the turnout for camps was overwhelming,” said Satish Kumar, former international swimmer and head coach of SwimLife. However, it is not the case this time. “The number of kids taking up swimming has not matched our expectations this year. It’s probably because it’s still the beginning of summer and families usually travel a lot around this time,” adds Kumar.

At Basavangudi Aquatic Centre (BAC), one of the premier coaching centres in the city, the numbers have taken a deep plunge. According to Pradeep S Kumar, national coach and also the head coach at BAC, the headcount of learners reduced to 200 children per batch, as compared to 250-300 during the previous year. “It’s not just at our centre, even other swimming pools, too, face the same problem,” said Pradeep.

Another reason for the decreased turnout is people’s preference of finding a swimming pool in their vicinity, much like apartment pools or the nearest club. But what one does not keep in mind is the safety of kids, as most of the apartment pools, resorts and club houses do not have well-trained certified coaches.

“We had come up with a plan where all pools where camps are organised come under the guidelines of the Karnataka Swimming Association (KSA). However, it was not implemented this year,” said Satish.

With this plan in place, the association would have had the authority to monitor the pools with adequate training for coaches, and even keep a track of whether the pools are following safety guidelines.