Bernburg. Summer, sunshine and fun in the water – the Salzlandkreis district council wants to build on this immediate association people have with the region, focusing specifically on swimming and safety. “Together with the Salzlandsparkasse, we want to provide impetus and improve swimming skills in the region,” says District Administrator Markus Bauer.
“Seahorse Sundays” is the name of an initiative in the Salzlandkreis district designed to provide straightforward opportunities to earn swimming badges. The initiative relies on the support of clubs and organisations that offer swimming courses and tests for children and adults alike. The District Administrator has contacted them, provided information and asked for ideas and feedback until the exact framework and dates have been finalised. “I would like to warmly invite you to take part in this project,” says Markus Bauer, calling on all interested parties to get involved.
The idea: on selected Sundays, clubs at indoor and outdoor swimming pools in the Salzlandkreis offer the opportunity to earn swimming badges – with low barriers to entry, open to the public and, where possible, without long waiting times. The idea behind this is to improve swimming skills in the region and, perhaps in the medium to long term, to inspire people to get involved in a club or as a lifeguard.
Implementation will rely on the expertise and experience of the local swimming clubs, lifeguard services and bathing facilities. The organisation and delivery of the scheme will be in the hands of the participating organisations, in particular the provision of examiners, the conduct of the assessments and ensuring safe bathing conditions.
Salzlandkreis and Salzlandsparkasse will actively support them during the ‘Seepferdchen Sundays’. This joint project provides participating clubs with financial support, helps them recruit new members by raising public awareness, and thus strengthens an important – indeed, almost vital – voluntary sector, as greater and better swimming skills amongst the general public can help prevent accidents and ensure carefree fun in the water.