Knowing how to swim safely can be vital when it comes to the next swimming season. This is the only way to enjoy fun in and around the water without any problems. The swimming associations in Germany want to raise public awareness of this importance with the Federal Swimming Badge Days from June 9 to 16.
The Jena branch of the German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) invites you to a free swimming check on June 16 at the Schwimmparadies Jena. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., anyone interested can put their skills to the test and take one of the German bronze, silver or gold swimming badges. For beginners, the DLRG swimming instructors will also be taking the seahorse test. „At the end of elementary school, the majority of children still cannot swim safely. This must change. We want to draw attention to this as well as to the importance of voluntary swimming training in the clubs
, says Susanne Fuchs, Head of Association Communications at the Jena branch.
A safe swimmer is someone who has obtained the bronze swimming badge, also known as a free swimmer. The requirements include 15 minutes of continuous swimming with a change of body position in between. At least 200 meters must be covered. The test also includes jumping from the starting block or one-meter board and retrieving an object from a depth of two meters. Proof must also be provided that the swimming rules are known.
On the first nationwide swimming badge day last year, the examiners counted a total of more than 13,000 badges taken. This year, the number is set to increase significantly.What is more important, however, is that many people are concerned with the topic of swimming safety and try out for themselves how good they are in the water,said DLRG President Ute Vogt.
