Concerns are mounting over potential drowning incidents this summer, fueled by a rise in fatalities and anxieties surrounding the swimming abilities of many visitors to lakes and rivers. Peter Harzheim, President of the German Swimming Champions Association, voiced his worries in an interview with the Rheinische Post, expressing concern about the large numbers heading to recreational waters without adequate swimming skills.
Data from the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) reveals a stark increase in drowning incidents. In 2024 alone, 411 people lost their lives to drowning, a rise of approximately 30 compared to the previous year. This year has already seen several tragic accidents at swimming areas.
A contributing factor, according to Harzheim, is a concerning lack of swimming proficiency among younger generations. He noted that roughly half of fourth-grade students are currently unable to swim safely or at all. While acknowledging the role of broader societal factors, Harzheim emphasized the importance of parental involvement, urging parents to actively teach their children to swim in supervised environments. He highlighted a critical shortage of qualified swimming instructors, with an estimated 3,000 positions unfilled nationwide.
The situation has prompted calls for increased government investment in swimming facilities. Janine Wissler, deputy parliamentary group leader of the Left party, criticized the current federal government’s plan of one billion euros from the special infrastructure fund for renovating deteriorating sports facilities, arguing that this is insufficient to address the swimming education gap. Wissler advocated for “at least one billion euros annually solely for swimming pools until the mid-2030s” to tackle the backlog of necessary renovations and improvements.
