Should Members of Parliament be required to take swimming lessons?

After my meeting with MPs Mohammed Mohandis and Wendy van Eijk — which was both enlightening and genuinely informative — I find myself asking: shouldn't Members of Parliament "take swimming lessons" too? Not to learn how to swim, but to learn about the swimming industry. Given the sheer complexity of the information that lands on an MP's desk, it's entirely understandable that the distinction between large municipal pools run by commercial operators and small SME swim schools isn't always clear. To many, they all appear to share the same goal: helping children become confident swimmers. Sadly, the reality is rather different.

In many ways, the swimming industry revolves around money — whether that's fees paid by parents or subsidies from the government. The crucial difference lies in how that income is generated. Large commercial operators work with public money and subsidies, whereas smaller SME swim schools depend entirely on their own earnings, which creates a completely different dynamic. On top of that comes the balance of power: operators control the pool and its users, while SME swim schools are dependent on those very operators.

In the Netherlands, there are four categories of swimming lesson providers:

-          Municipal pools

These pools are owned by local authorities and are run with the help of subsidies, since their income is often not enough to cover the costs.

-          Semi-commercial operators

Companies such as Optisport and Sportfondsen often manage municipal pools. They receive an operating fee from the local authority and, alongside swimming lessons, they also offer lane swimming hours and cater to specific target groups.

-          Clubs and associations

These swimming clubs hire municipal pools at a reduced rate. They are largely run by volunteers, which keeps their costs low.

-          Commercial swim schools

The SMEs among the swimming lesson providers fulfil an important role in society. They offer swimming lessons with more individual attention, both for mainstream pupils and for children who struggle to keep up in regular lessons. This might include children from a different home situation or with specific learning needs. By offering a tailored approach — often in smaller groups and with plenty of one-to-one guidance — these swim schools ensure that every child, regardless of their background, learns to swim safely. That more intensive approach does, however, make the lessons more expensive than standard swimming lessons.

Each of these four players has its own way of teaching and of making money, yet there is little attention for the position of commercial swim schools. Large operators, who often hold board positions within industry organisations, are hardly likely to complain about the high rents they charge to competing SME swim schools. Subsidising commercial swim schools could help create a level playing field, much as semi-commercial operators receive subsidies to cover their costs.

Why MPs should be taught about the swimming industry

It would be a valuable step if Members of Parliament were better informed about the complexity of the swimming industry and the different providers within it. Only with a proper understanding of both the commercial and the subsidised players can they make the right policy choices for the future of swimming education in the Netherlands. The diversity of certificates, providers and pricing structures calls for a thorough assessment of how we can keep swimming education accessible, affordable and of high quality.

With greater insight into how swim schools operate and the challenges facing commercial providers, MPs can shape policy that ensures a level playing field — for instance, by granting subsidies to commercial swim schools. This would help keep swimming lessons affordable and give parents the chance to make a genuine, fair choice. It would also allow more attention to be paid to vulnerable children who need extra support to become confident swimmers.

Through greater involvement and a clearer understanding of the needs of both commercial and subsidised providers, we can create a future in which every child has access to quality, affordable swimming lessons. In doing so, we safeguard both the safety and the joy of swimming for everyone, whichever provider they choose.

An open invitation to all Members of Parliament

Members of the House of Representatives, I invite you to experience for yourselves just how important swimming lessons are for the safety and development of children. Spend a day with us at a commercial swim school and see how, with individual attention, we help both mainstream pupils and children who need extra support to become confident swimmers. Through this experience, you'll see first-hand what it takes to teach every child — regardless of background — to swim safely, and why supporting our sector matters so much. Your involvement can make all the difference!