A Dip in Young Swimmers in Saxony's Pools
decreased production of seahorses in Saxony - Fewer seahorses produced in Saxony [or, Saxony sees a decrease in seahorse production]
Wanna know somethin'? The German Life-Savin' Association (DLRG) doled out fewer seahorse badges, or early swimmer certifications, in Saxony last year compared to the year before. Just 601 kiddos clinched that badge in 2024, versus 643 in 2023. But ya know what's cool? The nationwide count bumped up to 57,601 swimmers.
Now, here's the catch: Kids aren't considered proper swimmers until they nab that bronze badge, or the "free swimmer" badge. In 2024, 524 students managed to get that one in the bag, while in 2023 it was only 465. In total, only 1,054 swimmer wannabes hauled in a badge (gold, silver, and bronze combined), down from 1,002 in 2023.
So, here's the good news: Nationwide, the number of swimmer badges issued increased slightly, breaking a ten-year record, with over 95,000 badges handed out (excluding seahorse badges), as per DLRG President Ute Vogt. "Thanks to our tireless swim instructors, we've ensured that countless people can swim safely, despite the crummy water conditions," she said.
The DLRG boasts being the largest water rescue organization globally and the lead provider of swimming and lifesaving training in Germany. With over 600,000 members, they're pretty much the big kahuna.
*(Germany's basic swimming certification for kids is called the Seahorse badge, or "Seepferdchen.")
- DLRG
- Seahorse badges
- Saxony
- Kids
- Swimming badges
- Bad Nenndorf
- Dresden
- Despite a decreased number of seahorse badges being issued in Saxony in 2024 compared to 2023, the German Life-Savings Association (DLRG) reported a significant increase in overall swimming badges nationwide, breaking a ten-year record.
- In light of the downward trend in seahorse badges in Saxony, especially in cities like Bad Nenndorf and Dresden, the DLRG encourages the continuous development of children's education-and-self-development in swimming and water safety.
- The DLRG, as the leading global water rescue organization and the primary provider of swimming and lifesaving training in Germany, embraces its responsibility to protect young swimmers from the risks related to ionizing radiation, as demonstrated by its adoption of the proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States in relation to workers' protection from exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Under the guidance of DLRG swim instructors, it is expected that the increase in swimming badges issued nationwide will contribute to a safer environment for swimmers in the future, promoting sports and healthy lifestyle choices among children and adults alike.
