The boss of Swim Wales has warned that a lack of classes and rising costs means learning to swim could be limited to "white middle-class children" in the future. The governing body says only half of Wales' 1,600 primary schools provide classes and the cost of private lessons has rocketed.
Figures show that only 42% of children going into secondary schools in Wales can swim, and some private lessons have doubled in price since before the coronavirus pandemic from £6.50 to £12.50.
Boss Fergus Feeney told a Senedd select committee that children from deprived areas have "no chance" to learn the important life skill that is good for fitness and mental health. Speaking to the committee he said it was one of the rare sports that attracts people from six months to aged 96.
