Faroese children are not great swimmers

Faroese children are not good enough at swimming, according to a new survey by the Faroese Swimming Association (SSF).

The survey found that less than half of all Faroese children meet the Nordic standard, which is to be able to swim 200 metres.

On the back of the survey findings, SSF has now launched a nationwide campaign aimed at getting as many members of the public as possible to swim 200 metres unaided and without stopping.

One in five has been in danger of drowning

“In 2018, we asked all fifth-form pupils in the country, along with a random sample of 16+ citizens, whether they believed they could swim 200 metres. Only 44 percent answered ‘yes’, and a full 20 percent reported having been in danger of drowning.” SSF chairman Rókur í Jákupsstovu told the SSF website.

“We hope this campaign will help improve this situation and encourage people to test their swimming skills annually. Everyone who completes the 200-metre challenge will be given a badge needle from SSF.”

For more information and contact details visit the SSF website (currently in Faroese only).

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.