Swimming to savings: smart tips to beat the rising cost of swimming lessons

Swimming lessons: it's an essential investment in your child's safety. But wow, the costs have skyrocketed in recent years! Does that sound familiar? You're certainly not the only parent worried about the affordability of swimming lessons. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save money smartly, without compromising on your child's quality and water safety. This article gives you practical tips so your child can splash around with pleasure and you don't have to worry about the costs.

Why swimming lessons are so important

Let's start with the basics: why are swimming lessons so important anyway? In a water-rich country like the Netherlands, being able to swim is a basic skill.

• Safety: Swimming lessons teach your child the skills to save themselves in the water. Drowning is still a cause of death in children, so learning to swim properly is vital .
• Health: Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit. It is a complete workout that is good for your condition, muscles and lungs .
• Social development: Swimming lessons are often also a social activity. Children learn to work together, encourage each other and overcome their fears .
• Belonging: With a swimming certificate, your child can participate in swimming parties and school trips. It prevents your child from being excluded .

The reality: swimming lessons are getting more expensive

The cost of swimming lessons has increased significantly in recent years . Research shows that prices have increased by almost 30% on average since 2018, with peaks of up to 70% in some municipalities . On average, you now pay around €12 per swimming lesson, while it used to be €9 . To obtain just the A diploma, you quickly need 60 lessons, which brings the total costs to more than €700 . This increase is due to the increased energy costs for heating the swimming pool water, higher personnel costs and inflation .

And as if that weren't enough, there are often all kinds of hidden costs on top of that. Think of registration fees, teaching materials and swimwear .

The impact of rising costs

The rising costs have a direct effect on the number of children who do not have a swimming certificate . The proportion of children without a swimming certificate increased between 2018 and 2022 . This is a worrying development, because water safety should be accessible to every child .

Smart tips to save on swimming lessons

Okay, the costs are high, but what can you do about it yourself? Below you will find a number of practical tips to keep swimming lessons affordable:

• Compare swimming lesson providers: The prices of swimming lessons can vary greatly per provider . Compare the prices and teaching methods of different swimming schools in your area. Don't just look at the price per lesson, but also at the total costs of the swimming course. Compare swimming lesson providers in your city and find the best deal.
• Opt for a lesson package: Many swimming schools offer lesson packages, where you pay for the entire course to the A diploma in one go . This is often cheaper than individual lessons.
• Ask about subsidies and schemes: Many municipalities have schemes to help parents on low incomes with the costs of swimming lessons . Ask your municipality about the options. Organisations such as Stichting Leergeld, Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur and the Nationaal Fonds Kinderhulp can also help .
• Ask for discounts: Some swimming schools offer discounts for families with multiple children, for example, or for children who already have a brother or sister in swimming lessons.
• Pay attention to hidden costs: Registration fees, teaching materials, swimwear… these are all costs that you might not immediately think of . Ask for a clear overview of all costs in advance, so that you are not faced with any surprises.
• Consider school swimming: In some municipalities there is still school swimming . This is often a cheaper option than private swimming lessons. Ask your child's school about the options.
• Take a critical look at the teaching method: Some teaching methods are more intensive and lead to a diploma faster, but are therefore also more expensive. Consider what works best for your child and what fits within your budget. Read more about teaching methods.
• Stay alert to offers: Keep an eye on the websites and social media of swimming schools. There are often special promotions or offers.

The importance of the C diploma

The A diploma is a good first step, but for real water safety it is important to continue to the C diploma . With the C diploma, your child meets the National Swimming Safety Standard and can handle themselves well in various situations . Moreover, research shows that children often lose skills after obtaining their B diploma . By going for C, you ensure that your child is and remains truly water safe.

Water safety 'forgotten'? Really stay swimming after the C diploma

Even after obtaining the C diploma, it is important to maintain swimming skills . Go swimming with your child regularly so that the skills don't fade . Consider a swimming sport or a follow-up course, such as snorkelling or survival swimming .

Alternatives to traditional swimming lessons

Long waiting lists, high costs… sometimes traditional swimming lessons are simply not an option. Fortunately, there are creative alternatives:

• Parent and child swimming: From a young age you can participate in parent and child swimming with your child . This is a fun way to make your child comfortable in the water and teach them the basics of swimming.
• Swimming clubs: Swimming clubs often offer cheaper swimming lessons than commercial swimming schools . The waiting lists are often longer.
• Private lessons: If your child needs extra attention, private lessons can be a good option . It is more expensive than group lessons.

Conclusion

Swimming lessons are a valuable investment in your child's safety and health. Don't let the rising costs discourage you. By comparing smartly, taking advantage of schemes and coming up with creative solutions, you can ensure that your child learns to swim safely without breaking your budget. And don't forget: water safety starts with the C diploma and a lifetime of swimming!

Curious about the options in your city? Compare swimming lesson providers in your city and find the best option for your child and your wallet!

Do you want to know more about swimming lessons, water safety and everything that comes with it? View the knowledge base for parents for answers to all your questions.