Parents are being urged to make sure their children know how to stay safe and enjoy the water as the warmer spring and summer months draw in.
With many opting for staycations over Easter and the summer many families will flock to beaches and inland water locations, without considering the potential dangers, putting themselves and others at risk.
Or for those who will be venturing abroad, they may find themselves using non-lifeguarded pools and therefore be at risk if they do not have the necessary water safety skills.
Figures indicate that around 25 per cent of primary pupils leave school unable to swim, and experts fear that as a result of the pandemic many young people lacking the ability to swim or self-rescue.
Freedom Leisure which operates many swimming pools across Powys such as Maldwyn in Newtown, The Flash in Welshpool and Bro Ddyfi in Machynlleth have a Learn to Swim programme accredited by Swim Wales which has seen thousands of children and adults learn this life saving skill.
They have limited spaces available now and as part of the programme learners will also benefit from free swimming at any public swim time across Powys.
Over 400 people accidentally drown in the UK and Ireland every year and many more suffer injury, sometimes life-changing, when they survive drowning.
Lee Heard, Charity Director for the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) said: “On average each year 47 people lose their life to drowning in Wales. Drowning is largely preventable and is essentially avoidable with the correct measures in place.
"Education through water safety education, training and learn to swim programs is a critical factor to help anyone acquire the essential skills to be confident and competent around the water.
"In addition, every young person should have the confidence to explore the beauty of Wales and take part in the variety of aquatic activities possible in Wales.
"Learning to swim at an early provides the foundations to open up a lifetime of opportunities and keep our promising young people safe.”
Fore more information about swimming lessons at a local leisure centre please visit www.freedom-leisure.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here