World Aquatics partner Myrtha Pools puts Learn-to-Swim at the heart of pool design

Every year on 25 June, pools in more than 50 countries fill with children and adults taking part in the World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) - the global drowning prevention event coordinated by the World Waterpark Association, in which aquatic facilities around the world host a synchronised 30-minute introductory lesson to promote vital water safety skills.

For World Aquatics partner Myrtha Pools, the manufacturer behind the pools of six Olympic Games which have witnessed more than 190 world records, the occasion is a reflection of a philosophy the company has carried for over three decades, and one that World Aquatics wholeheartedly supports: that learning to swim should be built into the blueprint of every aquatic facility.

World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam added; “Drowning prevention sits at the very heart of World Aquatics' mission. Being safe in the water is an essential life skill, and through initiatives such as our Discover Water programme we are working to bring water safety education to children everywhere. 

“That belief is woven into everything Myrtha Pools does, and we are grateful to stand alongside them in making the water a safer place for all.”

This year’s World’s Largest Swimming Lesson once again highlighted that shared commitment. In the USA, young learners aged one to three years old at the Pikes Peak Athletics Training Center in Colorado took part alongside around 200 children at the Brooklyn Community Center in Minnesota. Both facilities demonstrate how learn-to-swim programmes can provide the foundation for lifelong participation in aquatic sport while helping to build safer communities.

For Myrtha Pools, designing a learn-to-swim facility means creating environments where safety, accessibility and confidence come first. Clear water, excellent visibility for instructors and lifeguards, and welcoming spaces for beginners all contribute to making the first experience in the water a positive one, particularly for young children.

Today, Myrtha’s learn-to-swim facilities can be found in schools, universities and community aquatic centres across Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, Latin America and India. In Italy, every Aquamore centre includes a dedicated teaching pool, reflecting the company’s belief that access to swimming lessons should be part of everyday community life rather than an occasional opportunity.

“A pool built for learning is one of the most important pieces of public infrastructure a community can invest in,” said Roberto Colletto, CEO of Myrtha Pools.

“Our role is to help create facilities that serve communities for generations, giving every child the opportunity to learn to swim in a safe and welcoming environment.”