The Long Course Weekend's Legacy Programme continues to boost swimming skills in Pembrokeshire schools.

The Legacy Programme aims to increase the number of swimming lessons across schools and improve school standards of swimming in Pembrokeshire and is already seeing positive results.

Last year, 62% of Pembrokeshire school pupils in Years 3-6 achieved the national swimming standard, which is 22% above the national average, and 80% of Year 6 students achieved the National Curriculum standard.

At one of the schools participating in the initiative, the swim pass rate rose from 8% to 80% in a single year, demonstrating the powerful difference that consistent access and targeted support can make.

With continued support from the key partner, Princes Gate water from Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK, the Legacy Programme is set to grow further throughout 2026.

A total of 55 local schools is already confirmed to take part, giving more than 1,000 pupils the opportunity to access structured swimming lessons through the initiative. There are also open-water days planned across South Wales, to help build both children and adults’ confidence when swimming in natural bodies of water.

The Legacy Programme was first established by Long Course Weekend (LCW) in 2022 after Swim Wales reported that up to 52% of children leaving primary school are unable to swim. The initiative aims to help close that gap and ensure that meaningful, consistent support reaches community and educational organisations in the areas surrounding the Long Course Weekend host towns.

Matthew Evans, CEO of Long Course Weekend, said: “Although each host region shapes the Programme around its own needs, the purpose remains the same: to leave a long‑term, positive legacy, ensuring accessibility and affordability are never obstacles to participation or progression.

“With the support of our partners such as Princes Gate water, our initiative is designed to help overcome barriers in sport and create opportunities not only for children, but for people of all ages to participate in physical activities in a positive, supported environment.”

Niall Bridge, Plant Manager of the Princes Gate bottling site at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK, said: “Being a water company, with our site based near the Pembrokeshire coast, it was a natural choice for us to support the Long Course Weekend Legacy Programme with its mission of improving the swimming ability across the region.

“We want to be a good neighbour in Pembrokeshire, where we bottle our Princes Gate water. We are proud to call this beautiful place home and share the same vision as LCW – to improve access, opportunity and wellbeing in our local communities.”

The Long Course Weekend returns to Tenby from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28.