Start them young in the water

Jersey’s coastal environment is a priceless asset, combining great natural beauty with interesting marine life and a wealth of opportunities to enjoy activities in and on the water.

How sad it is, then, that large numbers of Jersey children are now growing up afraid of the sea (and the swimming pool). That is the mournful conclusion of Jersey’s ‘Mr Swimming’, Paul du Feu, who has called for greater investment of time and public money to help them achieve what should come naturally to anyone living on a relatively small rock surrounded by water.

Confidence in swimming is the starting point for the enjoyment of a wide range of water sports, including those such as sailing, surfing, sea-fishing and diving, as well as swimming itself, all of which may be truly said to be part of Jersey culture and tradition. It follows that anyone fortunate enough to grow up in Jersey should be encouraged in at the shallow end, so to speak, at the earliest possible age.

However, as president of the Jersey Amateur Swimming Association and a man who has dedicated his life to the sport, Mr du Feu was reported this week as having estimated that a third of Island children would not be safe off the Island’s beaches or capable of swimming a standard pool-length.

Some primary schools are better than others at providing swimming lessons but it is something of a postcode lottery, according to Mr du Feu, who is realistic enough to acknowledge that his ideal formula of more States funding and structured swimming timetable for all schools is probably a forlorn hope given the number of competing demands faced by schools.

That does not invalidate his basic point, which merits further consideration not only by the education authorities but also by any organisation involved in water sports and marine heritage, all of whom have in interest in Islanders growing up as competent swimmers.

The States are not the only potential source of funding in Jersey and there is no local voice more authoritative than Mr du Feu’s in, perhaps, initiating a well co-ordinated, high-profile new Swimming for All campaign.