Espoo seeks to improve children's and young people's swimming skills together with partners

Above all, early childhood education in Espoo seeks to improve children’s swimming skills by offering them an early introduction to water through play, exercise and experimentation as part of everyday pedagogy. The activities also include learning about the basics of water safety, such as how to behave near water and safety in water. Materials and training are offered to early childhood education staff to ensure consistency and a goal-oriented approach in the instruction of water competence skills in different units. Families are also supported through water safety information and tips, helping them to continue the introduction to water at home. After early childhood education, swimming instruction continues at schools, enabling children to transition to swimming lessons safely and smoothly.

In Espoo, swimming instruction is provided throughout the school years from pre-school to lower secondary school. Swimming lessons for primary schools and pre-primary education are organised at four swimming pools in cooperation with the city’s Sports and Exercise Services and an outsourced service provider. Objectives are set for children of different ages in the instruction, from getting used to water to improving swimming skills and learning water safety skills. Read more about swimming schools.

A number of development measures are also foreseen to support improved swimming skills. 

A project titled Swimming Skills in Espoo – Development of swimming instruction in basic education (UIMAKE) has been launched in Espoo with funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture. The project will run from 2 March 2026 till 31 July 2027.

The aim of the project is to improve the swimming and water safety skills of pupils in basic education and to develop uniform, city-wide operating models for swimming instruction. These aims will be achieved by improving staff competence, enhancing local coordination, and piloting additional swimming sessions and new forms of support, especially in grades 1 and 2 and for pupils with poor swimming skills.

The project coordinator of UIMAKE is Tero Kuosmanen. Two swimming instructors will additionally be hired for the project. The project measures will be launched more extensively in the school year 2026–2027, during which additional swimming sessions in grades 1 and 2 will be piloted, among other things.

Espoo works closely together with the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Life Saving Federation, C6 cities and local swimming clubs. The goal is to provide adequate swimming lessons for those who cannot swim and to ensure the accessibility of services. 

• The City of Espoo organises applied family swimming sessions in cooperation with swimming club Cetus. The family swimming course is aimed at children who do not have the prerequisites for participating in public swimming lessons for children. The course offers shared activities for families and tips for swimming instruction in a warm water pool.
• The learning of swimming skills is also supported by targeted measures, including free swimming lessons for next autumn's first-graders during the summer holidays, free swimming pool visits for children at school age during holidays, and the use of digital Hydrohex teaching materials for families with young children at Espoonlahti and Leppävaara swimming pools. 
• A swimming session for women is available at Central Espoo swimming pool on Sundays at 9:00–10:30. During this session, the swimming pool is reserved for women and girls only before it opens its doors to other customers. Swimming lessons for girls and women who cannot swim will also be provided during these sessions. Visit the swimming pool's website for more information about the swimming session for women.
• VesiTöpinät are low-threshold water activities with play and exercise organised by Cetus Espoo for children and families. During these sessions, children together with an adult learn to exercise in water through play.
• Swimming wristbands are available to borrow from libraries in Espoo, lowering the threshold for visiting a swimming pool. The wristband works like a season ticket to a swimming pool: it provides access to the swimming pools in Espoo without paying a fee. Residents can borrow the wristband with their library cards. After a short loan period, they return it to the library for the next user to enjoy. The aim is to allow as many children and families as possible to try out a swimming pool visit easily and inexpensively without spending money in advance. Read more about borrowing a swimming wristband.

The water safety of beaches has been improved for summer 2026 by increasing lifeguard presence, developing the equipment and improving the monitoring of and communication about water quality. Investments are made in the availability of rescue equipment and safe structures, and life guards will be present on key beaches during the summer season.

Espoo encourages everyone to go swimming with a low threshold. You can get started at your own pace both in swimming pools and on beaches. The key is getting used to water safely and within the limits of your skills – with no pressure to perform.

When you follow the rules, you make sure that the beaches feel safe for everyone. Find out about the lifeguards' role on the city’s supervised beaches and the responsibilities of each visitor to the beach, as well as instructions for what to do in an emergency and the most important beach rules that help prevent hazardous situations and make sure you can enjoy a carefree day at the beach. Find out about the beach etiquette in Espoo.

Every year in May, the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation organises a Learn to Swim Week to highlight the importance of swimming skills and to encourage people to improve their skills. This year, the Learn to Swim Week takes place on 11–17 May 2026. During the Learn to Swim Week, Espoo highlights the importance of learning to swim as an important safety skill and provides information about ongoing development work aiming to improve children's, young people's and families' swimming skills.

Swimming is a key skill that increases safety and confidence when spending time in water. A person who is able to swim continuously at least 200 metres, some of this time on their back, and who can cope with different situations in water is defined as knowing how to swim. In Espoo, swimming skills can be learned in swimming instruction provided at schools or organised at pools and in guided early childhood education and leisure activities.

Swimming is a versatile form of exercise that strengthens the whole body. In particular, it improves stamina, muscular fitness and the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Taking exercise in water is gentle on the joints, which makes it a suitable form of rehabilitation for many. Swimming can also reduce stress and improve your mood, and it is an important safety skill when spending time on water.

Water competence refers to the ability to operate safely in and near water. In addition to knowing how to swim, it also means recognising hazards and safety conscious behaviour. For example, a person with water competence is able to stay afloat, assess risks and avoid hazardous situations. They also know what to do if something unexpected happens in the water.

During the Learn to Swim Week, Espoo highlights improving swimming skills as a joint task which is developed over the long term together with schools, early childhood education, families and partners.