YOUNG people across West Dunbartonshire are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s recent Commonwealth and Olympic Games medallists by learning to swim.

September marks ‘Learn to Swim Month’, with local authorities, leisure trusts, and aquatic providers across the country rolling out fun-filled activities including swimming lessons all month long.

It is hoped these initiatives will encourage hundreds of kids to take part in swimming lessons every week.

Euan Lowe, chief executive officer at Scottish Swimming, said: “Learning to swim is a life skill and it’s so important for everyone to learn how to be confident and safe in the water.

 “A Learn to Swim month digital toolkit has been sent to all providers and a series of promotional videos are being created to help encourage more children into the programme.

“We are aiming to reduce the barriers to any child learning to swim so we’re delighted to have a month dedicated to the initiative.”

The importance of the role of swimming teachers is set to be highlighted too.

Anyone interested in short-term or long-term positions is urged to get in touch with their local leisure trust or aquatic provider to find out more about becoming a teacher.

The Learn to Swim framework is delivered in partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water.

It has already seen more than 100,000 youngsters take part in swimming lessons and is hoping to reach another 100,000 by 2025 in a bid to create a generation of confident, safer, and competent swimmers.

Swim superstars Duncan Scott and Toni Shaw are championing the programme as ambassadors of Learn to Swim.

They both achieved huge success at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham in July.

Scottish Water agreed to continue its partnership with Scottish Swimming to support the national framework last March.

Brian Lironi, director of corporate affairs with Scottish Water, said: “Our ambition for the Learn to Swim programme is to create an enduring legacy for Scotland that will help build a nation of happier, healthier and safer young people who fulfil their potential in and out of the pool.

 “Everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland’s rivers, lochs, reservoirs and shorelines safely and with confidence – so it’s brilliant to have a month dedicated to such a fundamental life skill.”

A total of 36 leisure trusts and aquatic providers are now welcoming children back after the summer holidays in more than 160 pools across the country.

The next chapter of the Learn To Swim programme will look at building a real legacy for Scotland through improving water safety, and by working in schools and local authorities to give all children a real platform for success and to achieve their full potential in the pool and out.

For further information on the programme, visit Learn To Swim’s website HERE.