Published on Tuesday 22 July 2025
To mark World Drowning Prevention Day on Friday 25 July, BCP Council’s leisure centres are joining the global effort to raise awareness and help save lives.
BCP Leisure Centres are ‘joining the ‘Find Your Float’ National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day. The campaign encourages as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill -the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.
All BCP Leisure Centres, including Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre, Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre and Rossmore Leisure Centre, will be offering reduced £2 Public Swim-Safe sessions throughout the day, encouraging families to get swimming in a safe environment, build confidence in the water, and learn more about water safety.
As well as this, all BCP Leisure academy swim lessons will offer life saving tips based on the ‘Float to Live’ campaign.
As part of the day’s activities at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch, representatives from the RNLI will be on hand to talk to the public about water safety tips and the life-saving technique “Float to Live”. This vital method teaches people how to remain calm and float if they get into difficulty in the water.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, said: “Teaching people to swim is not just about technique - it's about giving them confidence, safety, and a lifelong skill that could one day save their life.
“It’s fantastic to see our BCP Leisure Centres supporting this important initiative and making swimming more accessible with reduced £2 sessions for the day.
“Learning simple, life-saving skills like ‘Float to Live’ can make all the difference if you end up in difficulty in the water. We’re proud to be part of the campaign and to encourage everyone to ‘Find Your Float’.”
Guy Addington, Regional Water Safety lead at the RNLI said: “We’re delighted that BCP Leisure Centres are joining the ‘Find Your Float’ campaign and offering Swim Safe sessions for £2 for the day. The sessions teach the children vital skills, including how to float, a proven lifesaving technique.
“Instinctively, most people who find themselves struggling in the water begin to panic, swim, or thrash about. We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember that if you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. On World Drowning Prevention Day, we want everyone to ‘Find Your Float’ and practise this lifesaving skill.”
World Drowning Prevention Day is a United Nations initiative, held annually on 25 July, aimed at highlighting the tragic and preventable loss of life through drowning and promoting activities and resources to reduce water-related fatalities worldwide.
BCP Council encourages residents of all ages and abilities to take part, enjoy the discounted swims, and find out more about how to stay safe in and around water.
To book a session and for more details on swim times and availability, please visit your local leisure centre’s website here: https://www.bcpleisure.co.uk/