For many swimming enthusiasts in the North-west and across the UK, the Greater Manchester Swim is one of the most exciting events on the calendar for experienced swimmers and beginners alike. This year, the open-water city swimming event conveniently coincides with International Learn to Swim Day, on 18 May 2019. So perhaps it’s time for the newbies to put their new-found swimming skills to the test. Or, if you haven’t started learning to swim yet, what more inspiration do you need?

The Greater Manchester Swim

This open-water swimming event welcomes swimmers of all abilities to compete across distances ranging from 500m to three miles. The events are long and hard, but pushing your body to its limit is part of the thrill for most competitors, especially those new to the sport.

A life-saving skill

Learning to swim opens the doors to a brilliant array of new hobbies and exercises. If you can swim, you’ll be able to benefit from the brilliant physical changes that swimming can bring, like flexibility, aerobic fitness, increased lung capacity, and low-impact exercise. But it could also save your life.

In 2015, over 300 people died as a result of accidental drowning. The majority of these deaths were men at the beach/shore and in rivers. Sometimes, in treacherous waters like these, even strong swimmers might struggle to get to safety, but being able to swim gives you a fighting chance. In children aged between one and 14, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death.

Level Water does great work to help children with disabilities learn to swim. They work one-on-one with children to give them the self-confidence boost they need.

There are only positives to learning to swim for children and adults, so what’s standing in your way?

Taking the plunge

There are many reasons why people feel they can’t learn to swim, from the fear of water to not wanting to get their hair wet. But one of the most common reasons, and one of the easiest to overcome, is the misconception you’re too late.

It’s never too late to learn to swim. In older adults, swimming can be the ideal workout as it’s low-impact, has a minimal risk of injury, and can keep muscles strong and supple. Even as parents, why not spend some quality time with your children in joint swimming lessons? You can support your child and indulge in all the fun of watching them learn a new skill while experiencing it right there with them.

So, if you’d like to learn to swim this year, it might be time to set your goals. Having something to work towards, to measure your progress and drive you forward, will create a rewarding environment and speed up the process. Why not aim to be a competitor in the Greater Manchester Swim 2020? Do you think you’re up to the task?

At Maru we immerse ourselves in the world of swimming, breathing our passion for the sport into each of our stunning designs. Built to combine boldness, vibrancy, and beauty with practicality and comfort, we have the perfect swimwear for any occasion. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional competitor, our designs ensure you look good and feel great in and out of the water. Take a look at our online shop! And don't forget to check out our partners Level Swim who are doing some amazing work!