OLYMPIC hero Duncan Scott is inspiring the biggest drive ever to encourage people of all ages and abilities in the Scottish Borders to learn to swim.

As part of his role as Learn to Swim Ambassador, Duncan is supporting the September ‘Learn to Swim’ month which will focus on encouraging older children to return to lessons if they haven’t completed their course to ensure they have the skills to be safe swimmers, as well as appealing for adults of all abilities to seek out lessons and additionally inspiring more people to become swimming teachers.

Britain’s most decorated Olympian in a single games, said: “I hope everyone gets behind Learn to Swim Month. I know people that because of Covid haven’t been able to get in a pool for a very long time so this might encourage them to take their kids at a weekend.

“Learning to swim is a life skill and it’s so important for everyone to learn how to be safe and confident in the water. I’ve always enjoyed swimming and while not everyone will have ambitions to be an Olympic athlete, it’s an essential skill to have and fun to learn too.”

Euan Lowe, Scottish Swimming chief executive officer, said: “Due to various restrictions over the last 18 months, swimming lessons were put on pause or disrupted. So now that pools are opening up again we want to see lessons full once more with kids excited to be back in the water.

“We are particularly keen to get older children to return to the pool to finish training that would have been halted or affected during lockdown. And we have always ensured that disability is no barrier, so no child should ever miss out.”

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

Scottish Swimming Learn to Swim programme providers are also recruiting swimming teachers and can offer training opportunities through the Scottish Swimming Teacher Qualification.

More information on the Learn to Swim Framework can be found on the dedicated website: www.learntoswim.scot